Cloudless Sulphurs galore in Md.

[Carol R. Lemmon]

Greetings to all:

Cloudless Sulphurs are also staging a major invasion up here in Connecticut.
Up to 11 individuals have been seen at a time (we are lucky to see 11
individuals for the entire year, normally), and multiple females have been
observed ovipositing on Wild Sensitive Plant (Cassia nictitans) in both
Guilford and Branford.  Also 1 to 2 week old larvae have been found on these
plants.  A local collector (who has been at it for over 50 years) has told
me he has never seen a Cloudless female in the state.   Little Yellows have
also been ovipositing on these plants, but they normally can have 2-3 broods
along the coast.  This year, these is evidence that Little Yellows have bred
at an interior site in Connecticut (Kent: approx. 30 miles inland) for the
first time.  Wild Sensitive Plant is abundant at this site, and the
individuals seen and collected were very fresh.  No ovipositing was observed
as of yet at this site, but there is evidence of larval feeding (non
leaf-roller) on many of the plants.  This site will be rechecked for larvae
in another week or so.

Jeff Fengler
Research Assistant
Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station