English name:
Clouded Yellow
Full scientific name:
Colias croceus (Geoffroy, 1785)
Croatian name:
Obični poštar
Flight Period and Life Cycle
Few broods per year. Overwinters as caterpillar.
Distribution in Croatia
The entire territory. Check the included map.
External Morphology Characteristics
To accurately identify this species, you should examine the dark border on the upper sides of the wings. Compared to other species of the Colias genus, the dark border on the upper side of the forewing is wider. In some lighting conditions, you can see the dark border on the underside of the wings when they are closed and raised high. The width of this dark border should be at least as wide as the dark spot visible in zone S2 on the underside of the forewing, which is indicated by the green line in the image below. The underside of the wings is a bright yellow color, while the upper side of the wings has a yellow-orange shade. Female butterflies have yellow spots in the dark border on the upper side of the wings. In the helice form of the female, the upper side of the forewing is almost white.
Behavior
It has strong migratory abilities. Imago feeds with nectar of various flowers. When lands, it keeps wings closed.
Caterpillar Host Plants
Family Fabaceae.
Habitat
It is adapted to various habitats. Elevations: 0-1600m.
Gallery
