- Identifying features: Wingspan 1.6-2.4 inches. Both sexes typically have orange wings with black borders. Females with pale spots in border areas. Both sexes with black dot in forewing cell and reddish-orange spot in hindwing cell. There is a great deal of variability in both size and coloration during the season. Some individuals are white rather than orange.
- Similar species: Very similar markings to the closely related Clouded Sulphur, but the latter is distictly yellow. However, the two will occasionally interbreed, resulting in individuals halfway in color between the two. Both species also have white form females which are very difficult to distinguish, especially when in flight. The white form may also be confused with the Cabbage White, which has black on the tips of the forewings only.
- Habitat: Prefers alfalfa fields, but can be found in gardens and other open places.
- Larval food plants: Injurious to legumes, sometimes becoming a serious pest of alfalfa.
- Season: May to November. Many broods per year. Over-winters as a pupa.
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