Size:
Wingspan is 1 - 1 1/2 inches.

Similar Species:
Dainty Sulphur
Barred Yellow
Sleepy Orange

Habitat:
Widely found in all types of open areas and cultivated fields.

Range/Abundance:
Uncommon in the eastern part of the region to rare in the western part of the region. In WV uncommon in most of the state yet common along the Ohio River.

Flight Period:
Adults fly from mid May until late October in several broods with gaps between broods. Usually found to be more common in late summer and fall.

Larval Host Plants:
Members of the pea family Fabaceae including Partridge pea Cassia fasciculata and wild sensitive plant C. nicitans.

Comments:
Little Yellows move northward into our region some years and can be common, other years they are very rare.

The most common butterfly to mistake this with would be a smaller than normal Sleepy Orange which is much more orange than the lemon yellow of a Little Yellow.

The top photo was taken in Lawrence Co., OH on October 25, 2000. The center photo was taken at Croatan National Forest in Craven Co., NC on August 24, 2002. The bottom photo was taken in Calhoun Co., SC on October 25, 2002.

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