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Giant sulphur facts for kids

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Giant (northern) sulphur
Colias gigantea pelidneides female 01 dorsal side ZISP.jpg
Scientific classification

The giant sulphur or giant northern sulfur (scientific name: Colias gigantea) is a type of butterfly. It belongs to the Pieridae family, which includes many white and yellow butterflies. You can find this butterfly in North America. Its home stretches from Alaska all the way across Canada to the east coast. It also lives in parts of the United States like Wyoming, Montana, and Oregon.

When Do They Fly?

These butterflies are usually seen flying around during the summer. Their flight period is from June until early August. This is when they are most active, looking for food and mates.

Size and Appearance

The giant sulphur butterfly is quite large for a butterfly. Its wingspan, which is the distance from one wingtip to the other, can be from 37 to 55 millimeters. That's about the length of a few paperclips lined up!

What Do Young Butterflies Eat?

The young butterflies, called larvae or caterpillars, have a special diet. They mostly eat the leaves of Salix plants. Willows are common trees and shrubs that grow in many places where these butterflies live.

Different Types of Giant Sulphur Butterflies

Just like there can be different types of dogs, there are also different types, or subspecies, of the giant sulphur butterfly. These subspecies might look slightly different or live in different areas. For example, one type called C. g. gigantea lives in places like Alaska and most of Canada. Another type, C. g. harroweri, is found in Wyoming, Montana, and Oregon.

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