New Jersey Butterfly Club

Little Yellow

Eurema lisa

Identification: Very small—1.3” (much smaller than Clouded Sulphur). Below: Male is bright yellow with many small, dark spots plus a larger, palish rusty-pinkish spot at HW apex. Two tiny black spots at base of forewing clinch the ID. Female is lighter yellow with variable markings usually bolder than the male’s, particularly the HW apex spot. Rarely seen basking with open wings.

NJ Status and Distribution: Nonresident. Primarily a southern species that occurs as a regular stray in NJ. Reported from throughout the state but most frequently from the southern counties. Often establishes small, temporary colonies where the ephemeral host plant is common.

Habitat: Open, often disturbed, habitats. Infrequently observed in gardens.

Flight Period: Where colonies have become established can be seen from spring into fall. Strays from the south are most often seen in late summer and early fall. Extreme dates: North Jersey 6/17-10/29; South Jersey 5/6-11/11.

Caterpillar Food Plants: Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata) and Wild Sensitive Plant (C. nictitans).

Overwintering Stage: No conclusive evidence that this species overwinters in any stage in NJ.

Good Locations: Higbee Beach WMA, Belleplain SF, Cape May NWR, Cape May Point SP, Assunpink WMA.

Comments: More and more small colonies of Little Yellow have been popping up in recent years, even as far north as Orange County, NY. Some of this expansion may be assisted by meadow restoration projects that include the host plant(s) in their seed mixes—e.g., Assunpink WMA in 2022.