Clouded Sulphur

The Clouded Sulphur is a very common butterfly in Michigan. It can be found from early spring until late fall and it is common to see fields teeming with these butterflies. They like many different open areas including fields, lawns, alfalfa and clover fields, road edges, and meadows.

Photo Credit: John Blair

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  • Astragalus

    • Canadian milkvetch (Astragalus canadensis)

    • Canadian milkvetch (Astragalus canadensis var. canadensis)

    • Cooper's milkvetch (Astragalus neglectus)

    Baptisia spp

    Birdfoot trefoil - Lotus corniculatus

    Black Locust - Robinia pseudoacacia

    Bush Clover – Lespedeza spp

    Lupine – Lupinus

    Pine – Pinus

    Vetch – Vicia spp

    Native plants that are listed are ones that are native to our area, the list is not exhaustive

  • Alfalfa - Medicago sativa

    Red Clover – Trifolium pratense

    White Clover – Trifolium pratense

    White Sweet Clover – Melilotus albus

  • Can be found puddling

    Agastache, Aster, Blazing Star, Dogbane, Phlox, Goldenrod, Milkweed, Sedum

  • Alfalfa, Brazilian Verbena, Butterfly Bush (make sure you use a sterile variety), Clover, Dandelion, Marigold, Mexican Sunflower, Winter Cress

  • March-November. Several broods each year, last brood overwinters.

  • Butterflies and Moths of North America https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/

    Brenda Dziedzic, Raising Butterflies in the Garden

    Heather Hom, Pollinators of Native Plants

    National Wildlife Federation https://www.nwf.org/NativePlantFinder/Plants

    Xerces Society https://www.xerces.org/