Cloudless Sulphur
Phoebis sennae (Linnaeus, 1758), fam. Pieridae, P-no. 77a0435
Host plants: Hosts on members of the legume family (Fabaceae), principally senna and partridge pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata).
Date found(s): 4 August, 2026
Location(s) found: Ste. Genevieve County, MO
Notes: By looking closely at the caterpillar pictured here, you may notice that its dorsum is covered in short setae that each contain a near-microscopic drop of fluid. In a study conducted on related Pieriis caterpillars, this fluid was found to be a sticky oil substance that had a deterrent effect on predation by generalist predators like ants (Shiojiri and Takabayashi, 2005).
A Thousand Acres of Silphiums 