Dainty Sulphur
Nathalis iole
Dainty Sulphur is a resident of the Coastal counties and Lower Coastal Plain counties along the Florida line west to Lowndes County. It is intolerant of cold, but in late summer or early fall it moves north where it is seen as a temporary colonist, as were 16 individuals in Rockdale County on August 7. It is most abundant on the Lower Coast. The hostplants are Shepherd’s Needle (Bidens pilosa), which is common on the Coast, Beggarticks (Bidens frondosa), Spanish Needles (Bidens alba), and Sneezeweed (Helenium). It has most often been observed in numbers in close association with Bidens pilosa, the main hostplant. There are two forms: the yellow summer form and the dark fall form, which overwinters. Dark form adults emerge in early spring and summer form adults begin to appear in June and fly until fall. Most sightings on the Lower Coast (Camden and Glynn counties) are June-August. Strays to north and west Georgia are mostly seen from August to November. Early Date: April 29 (Lowndes County); Late Date: November 25 (Bibb County). Conservation Status: Secure.
