Caterpillar Identification Guide
Cloudless Sulphur
Genus-Species: Phoebis sennae
Host Plants: The host plant may be partridge pea
(Chamaecrista cinerea), sennas (Senna), clovers (Trifolium), or other legumes (Fabaceae).
Habitat: Open areas, including prairies, old fields,
roadsides, and gardens.
Comments: The Cloudless Sulphur cannot survive
northern winters, and is considered a stray in Wisconsin. The species does not stray to
Wisconsin every year, and it should be considered a rare find.
Caterpillars come in many colors, shapes, and sizes. Some caterpillars are quite hairy,
while others are smooth. Despite differences between species, though, all caterpillars
share certain morphological features.
Take this quick quiz and see how much you know about caterpillars. This quiz is intended for fun, in
a random-facts-can-be-cool kind of way.
How does this magic happen? Learn about metamorphosis - the process of transformation from an
immature form to an adult bitterfly.