Nature Field Guide
Cloudless Sulphur Butterfly
- Spanish name
- Mariposa azufre
- Scientific name
- Phoebis marcellina
What Do Pico & Tati Think?
Pico: “Let's look closely at the cloudless sulphur butterfly!”
Tati: “We can compare its shape and markings without touching it.”
Species overview
About the Cloudless Sulphur Butterfly
Yellow coloration alone does not distinguish all sulphurs; compare wing shape and markings.
Identification
Key Features of the Cloudless Sulphur Butterfly
Bright yellow wings
lightly marked underside
fast flight
Habitat & range
Forest paths, edges and nearby vegetation in Guanacaste. Local habitat and abundance vary.
Local observations
Costa Rican references are linked below. Guanacaste is the documented regional starting point; these tags are not a complete national range map.
When to observe
Look during suitable weather. Activity and visibility vary by locality and species.
Conservation & care
Observe without collecting, handling or disturbing insects or nests. Stay on permitted paths. Leave caterpillars and their food plants in place.
Observation activity
Record the date, location and two visible clues. Compare your observation with a verified photograph before naming a species.