Dainty Sulphur

Photo of a dainty sulphur perched on a dried flower, side view
Scientific Name
Nathalis iole
Family
Pieridae (whites, sulphurs, yellows)
Description

The dainty sulphur is the smallest sulphur in North America. Compared to other sulphurs, the forewings of this species are rather elongated. Dainty sulphurs typically fly just inches above the ground. The upperside is yellow with black forewing tips. Black upperside markings are more extensive in females. On the undersides of the forewing, the discal cell (at the basal core of the wing) is orange or a deep yellow, and there are two black spots positioned rather near the outside edge. The underside of the hindwing is pale yellow in the summer, but it is dark olive green at the end of the flight season.

Larvae are dark green with a lavender stripe running down the back, a yellow and blackish-brown stripe along the sides, and two reddish tubercles covered with bristles on the thorax (behind the head).

Other Common Names
Dwarf Yellow
Size
Wingspan: ¾–1¼ inches
Where To Find
Statewide.
Most common here in the fall, dainty sulphurs can be found in open, weedy areas throughout Missouri after a summer arrival from southern states. Although unable to survive winters in the north, dainty sulphurs are not known to migrate south. Look for adults gathering at moist places and visiting flowers.
This is the only North American sulphur caterpillar to eat composites (members of the daisy/sunflower family), including fetid marigold (Dyssodia papposa) and sneezeweeds (Helenium spp.).
This species does not survive winters in our state. The range expands northward from southern states and individuals begin appearing in Missouri in April, and numbers increase as the summer goes on. Males fly just over the ground, in low terrain, looking for females. The females lay eggs singly on young host plants such as sneezeweeds, marigolds, and members of the genus Bidens.
The term butterfly apparently arose in Europe inspired by a member of this family called the “brimstone.” That butterfly is as yellow as butter — or as yellow as sulfur (the rotten-egg-smelling mineral also called brimstone). So, one namesake references a stinky yellow mineral, the other a creamy, tasty dairy product. By the way, the British usually spell the mineral “sulphur,” while Americans spell it “sulfur”—but all tend to spell the butterflies “sulphur.”

The amount of light the caterpillars experience directly influences their later coloration as adults. Caterpillars exposed to a relatively short photoperiod (10 hours of daylight) produce dark-form adult butterflies that have three times the number of dark scales on the underside than butterflies that had been exposed to 16 hours of daylight as caterpillars.

Having a darker coloration helps dainty sulphurs in cool months. When basking, they close their wings and position themselves so the sun's rays directly hit the dark ventral scales, which more quickly warms their muscles to flight temperature. Butterflies, like other invertebrates, generally must take on the temperature of the surrounding environment. But so-called cold-blooded animals often do things to help regulate their body temperature, such as positioning themselves to take full advantage of solar warmth.

Media Gallery
Photo of a dainty sulphur perched on a dried flower, side view
Dainty sulphurs are small compared to other sulphur butterflies. The wingspan of the largest individuals reaches only about 1¼ inches.
Tom Peterson, Fermilab
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Photo of a dainty sulphur, dorsal view of pinned male specimen
Male dainty sulphurs have a small orange oval scent patch near the base of the hindwing, on the upper side.
Megan McCarty, Wikimedia Commons
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Photo of a dainty sulphur perched on a dried flower, side view
Photo of a dainty sulphur, dorsal view of pinned male specimen
Similar Species
About Butterflies and Moths in Missouri
Butterflies, skippers, and moths belong to an insect order called the Lepidoptera — the "scale-winged" insects. These living jewels have tiny, overlapping scales that cover their wings like shingles. The scales, whether muted or colorful, seem dusty if they rub off on your fingers. Many butterflies and moths are associated with particular types of food plants, which their caterpillars must eat in order to survive.