Clouded Yellow Colias croceus
Habitat
The Clouded Yellow is an unpredictable annual migrant to Britain arriving from southern Europe in spring and dispersing northwards, occasionally occurring in huge numbers about once every decade. It may be expected in many habitats where there is an abundance of nectar sources.
Identification
It has rich deep-yellow wings with solid black borders, which, on the female, are dotted with yellow spots. There is a pale female form helice. It almost always rests and feeds with its wings closed.
Flight times
The first arrivals are usually seen in May and June, with further immigrations possible between July and September. Numbers are supplemented by locally bred butterflies as it has a very rapid breeding cycle. It may be recorded until October.
Food plants
Food plants are clovers, Lucerne, and Common Bird's-foot-trefoil.
Clouded Yellow Distribution Map 2006
| Recorded squares: | 47 in 2006 10 in 2005 |
|---|---|
| Earliest record: | 15 June 2006 Richard Taylor Pleasley Colliery, Derbys |
| Highest count: | 3 30 July 2006 Ros Smith Shenton Estates |
| Latest record: | 2 November 2006 Jon Berry Forest Recreation Ground |
Clouded Yellow Distribution Map 2007
| Recorded squares: | 15 in 2007 56 in 2006 |
|---|---|
| Earliest record: | 20 May Frank Hudson Sheffield Road, Barlborough |
| Highest count: | 2+ 22 August; Paul Townsend; Whitting Valley 12 September; R A Frost; Shirebrook Colliery 15 September; Richard Taylor; Carr Vale NR, Derbys |
| Latest record: | 7 October Brian Cuttell Avenue Coking Plant |
Clouded Yellow Distribution Map 2008
| Recorded squares: | 1 in 2008 15 in 2007 |
|---|---|
| Only record: | 24 June Christine Johnson Friargate Station, Derby 1 seen |
Photos
Clouded Yellow - © Christine Maughan