Colias croceus (Fourcroy, 1785)

Family: Pieridae
Genus: Colias
Species: croceus

  • This species is common and can be found in a wide variety of grassy habitats from lowland area.
  • Eggs are laid singly on the upperside of leaves of foodplant. Larva hatch from egg in 6 to 10 days (depending on temperature). The larval stage depends on temeperature and food availability lasting from 20 to 40 days. Fully-grown larva is approximately 33 mm long. The pupa is attached by a silken girdle and the cremaster on the foodplant and this stage last for aproximately 18 days.
  • Flight period: from beggining of May to October or even November (in 2-3 generations).
  • Hostplant: different Fabaceae (Trifolium, Medicago, Onobrychis, Lotus, Coronilla, Melilotus, Hippocrepis, Astragalus).

Similar species (in Europe): Colias alfacariensis, Colias aurorina, Colias erate, Colias hecla, Colias hyale, Colias palaeno and Colias phicomone.

<i>Colias croceus</i>, female (Romania)

Leave a Reply