There are several species of large, yellow butterflies found around the world. Some of the most common include the swallowtail, sulphur, and birdwing butterflies. The largest of these yellow butterflies belong to the birdwing family, which includes butterflies with wingspans of up to 8 inches wide. While many butterflies have bright color patterns to warn predators that they may be toxic or unpalatable, yellow coloration in butterflies often serves a different purpose – to attract mates. The yellow colors tend to be especially noticeable to potential mates flying by. Read on to learn more about some of the most common large, yellow butterfly species.
Swallowtail Butterflies
Swallowtail butterflies can be found on every continent except Antarctica and belong to the Papilionidae family. There are over 550 species within this family, and many of them are large, brightly colored butterflies. Some of the most common yellow swallowtail species include:
- Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) – This butterfly has yellow wings with black tiger stripes and is widespread across eastern North America.
- Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus) – Closely related to the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, this species is found across western North America.
- Pale Swallowtail (Papilio appalachiensis) – Named for its pale yellow wings, this rare species is native to just a few southeastern states in the US.
- Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) – The male of this species has bright yellow wings, while females are darker in color.
- Southern Dogface (Zerene cesonia) – Found across the southern US and Mexico, this butterfly has unique dog-like markings on its wings.
- Lemon Swallowtail (Papilio demoleus) – A widespread Asian swallowtail with vibrant lemon-yellow wings.
- Citrus Swallowtail (Papilio demodocus) – Native to sub-Saharan Africa, this swallowtail feeds on citrus plants.
Swallowtails get their name from the tail-like extensions on their hindwings. Their wingspans range from about 2-4 inches wide. Many species have striking yellow and black patterns that serve as a warning to potential predators that they are unpalatable. Swallowtails tend to be strong fliers and may migrate long distances. They can be found in a variety of habitat types including forests, fields, and urban gardens where they feed on nectar from flowers. The caterpillars feed on plants from citrus and carrot families.
Sulphur Butterflies
Butterflies in the family Pieridae are commonly known as sulphurs, whites, or yellows due to their predominantly pale yellow or white coloration. There are over 1,000 species in this family worldwide. Some of the most common yellow sulphur butterflies include:
- Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae) – This fast-flying butterfly has bright yellow wings and is widespread across North and South America.
- Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) – One of the most prevalent butterflies across the US and Canada, it has orange wings with a yellow border.
- Southern Dogface (Zerene cesonia) – In addition to the swallowtails, this yellow butterfly with dog-like facial markings also belongs to the sulphur family.
- Sleepy Orange (Eurema nicippe) – Named for its lazy, drifting flight pattern, this sulphur is native to the southern US.
- Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) – A European species that can be identified by its large, yellow hindwings.
- Lemon Migrant (Catopsilia pomona) – A pale yellow sulphur found commonly across Australia.
- African Migrant (Catopsilia florella) – As the name suggests, this lemon-yellow butterfly migrates widely across Africa.
Sulphurs tend to have thinner bodies and longer wings than swallowtails. Their wingspans range from 1.5-3 inches wide on average. Yellow and orange coloration in sulphurs may serve to camouflage the butterflies among sunlit leaves and flowers. Many species have seasonal multiple broods and can be seen flying from spring through fall. Caterpillars feed on legumes and mustards. Adults feed on flower nectar and tree sap. They are common sights in open fields, meadows, and grasslands.
Birdwing Butterflies
Butterflies in the birdwing family (Trogonoptera) are some of the largest in the world, with wingspans reaching 8 inches wide in the Queen Alexandra’s birdwing. There are about 15 birdwing species found across Australia and Southeast Asia. Some of the largest yellow birdwings include:
- Southern Birdwing (Troides meridionalis) – With a wingspan up to 5 inches, the male has striking yellow and black wings while the female is dark brown.
- Malay Lacewing (Cethosia hypsea) – Native to Malaysia and Indonesia, this butterfly has pale yellow wings with intricate black lace-like patterns.
- Batik Lacewing (Cethosia batik) – Similar in appearance to the Malay Lacewing, this species is found on Java island.
- Great Mormon (Papilio memnon) – One of the largest Asian swallowtails, the Great Mormon male has wings of iridescent yellow.
- Orchard Swallowtail (Papilio aegeus) – Widespread across Australia, this large butterfly has wings of yellow and black bands.
In addition to their large size, birdwings are characterized by rounded or spatulate forewings and elongated, narrow hindwings. The bold yellow and black patterns serve as a warning to predators that they are poisonous or distasteful. Birdwings tend to fly powerfully and rapidly, gliding frequently. Caterpillars feed exclusively on Aristolochia vine plants, while adults sip nectar from flowers. Most species prefer rainforest habitats. Several birdwing species are endangered due to deforestation and hunting for their beautiful wings.
Identification Tips
When trying to identify a large, yellow butterfly, consider the following characteristics:
- Wingspan – Measure how wide the wings are spread to help narrow down the species.
- Wing shape – Look for the rounded forewings of birdwings or pointed forewings of swallowtails.
- Markings – Note any stripes, spots, or unique patterns that may help pinpoint the exact species.
- Range – Consider where the butterfly was spotted and which species are native to that region.
- Behavior – Note the flight pattern as well as what plants or flowers the butterfly is visiting.
- Size – Pay attention to the butterfly’s overall size relative to familiar objects.
Conclusion
While many people associate butterflies with bright colors and intricate patterns, some of the largest and most striking butterflies in the world are primarily yellow and black in color. Swallowtails, sulphurs, and birdwings contain some of the biggest butterfly species, many with wingspans over 4 inches wide. Their yellow coloration serves not only as a warning to predators but also helps attract potential mates. Next time you encounter a large, yellow butterfly, look closely at its wingspan, shape, markings, behavior, and location to help determine the species. With over 1,500 butterfly species worldwide, one of these majestic yellow beauties may be new for your life list!
| Butterfly Family | Sample Species | Wingspan | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swallowtail (Papilionidae) | Eastern Tiger Swallowtail | 3-4 inches | Eastern North America |
| Sulphur (Pieridae) | Cloudless Sulphur | 2-3 inches | Americas |
| Birdwing (Trogonoptera) | Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing | Up to 8 inches | New Guinea |
