Wisconsin Native Caterpillars
Clouded Sulphur Caterpillar
Genus-Species: Colias philodice
Description: Caterpillars are grass green with
a multicolored stripe along the lower edges of the body. The upper stripe is white;
followed by red/pink; white; and finally black. Orange Sulphur caterpillars are so
similar that they cannot be reliably separated in the field.
Chrysalis: The chrysalis is green with
yellow and black dashes.
Host Plants: Plants in the pea family including
alfalfa (Medicago sativa), white clover (Trifolium repens), and pea (Pisum sativum).
Habitat: Many different open areas including
fields, lawns, alfalfa and clover fields, road edges, meadows.
Comments: Caterpillars are grass green with
a multicolored stripe along the lower edges of the body. The upper stripe is white;
followed by red/pink; white; and finally black.