Pieridae : Coliadinae
Pyrisitia larae (Herrich-Schäffer, 1862)
Confusing Yellow
Pyrisitia larae (Herrich-Schäffer, 1862)
Confusing Yellow
Description and Similar Species: Wingspan 26-36mm. Sexes similar though females are paler below often with scattered dark speckles and a brownish smudge near the apex. The main confusion species is Mimosa Yellow Pyrisitia nise but P. larae has rather less black on the outer margin of the forewing with an uneven scalloped inner edge (see photo below). The black margin of Bush Sulphur P. dina is even narrower. In the field P. larae also has a slight greenish tinge tinge to the yellow coloration that is not evident in photographs and this is often the first clue but with current knowledge all suspected individuals would need to be netted and the upperside examined in the hand.
Range: Endemic to the West Indies, found only on the Bahamas (North Andros), Cuba and Hispaniola.
Status: Widespread but very local and easily overlooked in open areas and the edges of woodland.
Nectar Plants: Chromolaena, Stachytarpheta, Tecoma stans and also on damp ground.
Larval Foodplants: Alvaradoa amorphoides (Picramniaceae).
Range: Endemic to the West Indies, found only on the Bahamas (North Andros), Cuba and Hispaniola.
Status: Widespread but very local and easily overlooked in open areas and the edges of woodland.
Nectar Plants: Chromolaena, Stachytarpheta, Tecoma stans and also on damp ground.
Larval Foodplants: Alvaradoa amorphoides (Picramniaceae).
Foodplants and Habitat