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Orange Sulphur


Orange Sulphur
Photo Information
Copyright: Angelina Deans (angybone) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1167 W: 11 N: 2265] (7198)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-05-11
Categories: Insects
Camera: OLYMPUS E-500, Olympus Zuiko 40-150 f3.5-5.6
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/400 seconds
Map: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-05-11 15:20
Viewed: 383
Points: 12
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Characteristics: Male -- yellow or orange with dark marginal border around dorsal forewing and hindwing. Female -- yellow, orange, or less commonly, white (albino) with incomplete dark border on dorsal wings. Forewing length: 20-30 mm.

Similar Species: In the suburbs, this species could be confused with the urban Eurema nicippe, which is more orange in color than eurytheme.

Habitats, Behavior: This is a rather rapid flyer, often associated with alfalfa fields, where it swarms in numbers. B. Kerr (1918) recorded it as "very common in alfalfa fields throughout the county".

Distribution: The Alfalfa Caterpillar Butterfly primarily inhabits the lowland areas of Orange County. It is occasionally found in the canyons (low elevations) of the Santa Ana Mountains. The species is most likely to be encountered in large vacant lots and other semi-disturbed areas, although it is rarely common, due to the lack of extensive alfalfa cultivation in the county today.

Flight Period: This butterfly probably flies every month of the year in Orange County; multiple brooded.

Larval Foodplants: Many species of legumes (family Leguminosae) are utilized, primarily Alfalfa (Medicago sativa); also clovers (Trifolium spp.) and perhaps Deerweed (Lotus scoparius) at Upper Newport Bay and in the foothills. Lotus crassifolius is commonly utilized in the Mt. Pinos region (Kern Co.) and may be utilized in the Santa Ana Mountains as well.

Other Remarks: Many seasonal color varieties of this species exist and there are many old names referring to these forms (e.g. form "alba" for the albino female form).
jmirah, phlr, Ken52, Miss_Piggy has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • jmirah Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 436 W: 5 N: 901] (3574)
  • [2007-05-11 17:46]

Hi Ange,
Nice vivid colors. I wonder what makes it "cloudless". You are getting better at capturing these illusive creatures. Another fine note.
Jim :)

  • Great 
  • Ken52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 663 W: 98 N: 1260] (4179)
  • [2007-05-11 22:30]

Excellent photo with rich and vivid colors. Would love to see more DOF, but that is difficult when they are so close to ground or if there is something close behind them. It also depends on the focal length of lens. Try getting as low as you can and see if that makes a difference.

I am having great difficulty distinguishing between Orange Sulphur and Cloudless Sulphur. I know that if can catch them with wings open and see an yellow-orange color on top, it is Orange Sulphur. But it is very difficult to tell. Nice job!

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-05-11 22:32]

Hello Angelina

A very nicely composed shot of this sulphur.The colours stand out.Very good POV and DOF.The details are sharp.The OOF BG is very pleasant.Very well done.Too bad sulphurs won't open their wings when they land ,some have beautiful markings too.TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • iris Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 389 W: 40 N: 730] (2302)
  • [2007-05-14 8:17]

Hi, U have a terrific accomplice in this fire flower who works with u to get all the beautiful birds and bees to you ......:)...another beautiful composition involving ur accomplice and the yellow sulphur...
TFS & Cheers

Hallo Angelina
Time is rather limited at the moment, but I could not pass without leaving a few words of appreciation for your posting. A lovely combination of mixed colours between the butterfly and the flower in one image. This looks like a very daintly little butterfly and also has a very fragile appearance. I like the direction in which the flower is facing, and the way it is slightly tilted. This enable us to see the beautiful turmeric coloured anthers and the coloured tips on the flowers edge. The green background brings out the bright colours of the two subjects even more. This is a lovely presentation. Thanks for sharing.
Kind regards
Anna

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1714 W: 24 N: 4988] (16346)
  • [2008-05-07 7:19]

Hi Angelina,
Outstanding shot of this beautiful butterfly on the orange flower. Great colour contrasts and a classic pose captured. Very neat and sharp image with perfect lighting and exposure. Excellent DOF, POV and composition. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

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