English name:
Berger’s Clouded Yellow
Full scientific name:
Colias alfacariensis (Ribbe, 1905)
Croatian name:
Zlatni poštar
Flight Period and Life Cycle
2-3 broods per year. Overwinters as caterpillar.
Distribution in Croatia
More common along the coast. Check the included map.
External Morphology Characteristics
The wings of Colias alfacariensis are a lighter shade of yellow compared to Colias croceus. The dark border on the upper side of the forewing is also narrower than in Colias croceus. The butterfly is very similar in appearance to its sibling species Colias hyale, and it is not possible to reliably distinguish between the two species based on their physical characteristics. The full-grown caterpillar of Colias alfacariensis has four yellow stripes with black spots. The distribution and habitat of the two species are different.
Behavior
It has migratory abilities. Imago feeds with nectar of various flowers. When lands, it keeps wings closed.
Caterpillar Host Plants
Family Fabaceae.
Habitat
Calcareous grasslands with bushes. More common on dry uncultivated areas. Elevations: 0-1500m.
Gallery
Literature
D.F.R. Cleary, H. Descimon, S.B.J. Menken: Genetic and ecological differentiation between the butterfly sisterspecies Colias alfacariensis and Colias hyale, Contributions to Zoology, 131-139, 2002