Little Yellow
(Eurema lisa)
Little Yellow sightings, by week (about)
The Little Yellow is a common migrant species in Wisconsin. It is not likely that this butterfly can survive Wisconsin winters and its population here is replenished each year from the southern states. Ebner states that it is possible that two broods will develop here in favorable years. It has not been the easiest butterfly for me to observe. I have seen this butterfly in central Wisconsin several years and have attempted to photograph it. All the ones that I saw took off on a beeline for other areas, dancing calmly but surely away from me never to be seen again. In 2004, I was finally able to get a cooperative butterfly and got photos of a white female that was laying eggs on Partridge Pea. In Grant County we observed over 20 individuals including the mated pair photos. In 2005 I got the photo of the upper wings by focusing just above the ground and snapping a photo as a car went by scaring the butterfly into flight. Needless to say, I did this repeatedly before I got lucky!
Identifying characteristics: A small yellow Sulphur with a wingspan less than one and a half inches. It resembles a miniature Clouded Sulphur above except for the black spot in the upper wing. Below the wings are yellow with a few darker markings and an orange spot present in the margin of the hindwing.
Similar species: Due to its small size, this species should not be confused with any other Sulphur seen in Wisconsin.
Habitat: Open meadows and roadsides.
Flight: Two possible broods in Wisconsin. The first moves into Wisconsin from the south and in favorable years this species may reproduce and a second brood may occur.
Abundance: May become almost common in the southern counties, but much less common farther north.
Recent Little Yellow Sightings
| Date seen | County | Reported by |
|---|---|---|
| 08–24–2008 | Iowa | Mike Reese, David Reese |
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Little Yellow
Eurema lisa