Pieridae : Coliadinae
Phoebis neleis (Boisduval, 1836)
Neleis Sulphur
Phoebis neleis (Boisduval, 1836)
Neleis Sulphur
Previously known as: Aphrissa neleis
Description and Similar Species: Wingspan 60-76mm. Very similar to Statira Sulphur Phoebis statira but neleis is slightly larger and has a red spot at the base of the hindwing underside. Sexually dimorphic with males rather plain on all surfaces. Females have a black edging to the forewing upperside and on the underside forewing there is reddish spot centrally and a narrow reddish edging, whilst on the hindwing there two black-edged white spots centrally.
Range: Found only on Cuba, Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Turks & Caicos and S Florida.
Status: Said to rare in Cuba but commoner at the eastern end of the island, and not uncommon on the north east coast in December 2014 (ed).
Nectar Plants: Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, Tournefortia hirsutissima, Ixora, Lantana, Mora and Emilia.
Larval Foodplants: Eggs and larvae have been found only on the legume Lysiloma sabicu to date.
Description and Similar Species: Wingspan 60-76mm. Very similar to Statira Sulphur Phoebis statira but neleis is slightly larger and has a red spot at the base of the hindwing underside. Sexually dimorphic with males rather plain on all surfaces. Females have a black edging to the forewing upperside and on the underside forewing there is reddish spot centrally and a narrow reddish edging, whilst on the hindwing there two black-edged white spots centrally.
Range: Found only on Cuba, Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Turks & Caicos and S Florida.
Status: Said to rare in Cuba but commoner at the eastern end of the island, and not uncommon on the north east coast in December 2014 (ed).
Nectar Plants: Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, Tournefortia hirsutissima, Ixora, Lantana, Mora and Emilia.
Larval Foodplants: Eggs and larvae have been found only on the legume Lysiloma sabicu to date.
Egg
Larva
Pupa
Foodplants and Habitat