Moth or Butterfly - Phoebis agarithe

Moved

… john and jane balaban, 21 June, 2016 - 1:24pm

I think I discovered the ID: Phoebis agarithe

I discovered the species on my own(with assist from BugGuid.com); it is a Large Orange Sulphur, Phoebis agarithe
I held the chrysalis up to the sun and I could see a yellow wing forming inside. I went to my book and studied the yellow and orange colored butterflies and found that the Large Orange Sulphur hosts on Texas Ebony(which I have many). I then plugged the scientific name into the BugGuide.com and came up with a photo of a chrysalis just like mine.
sos

… Stan O. Sterba, 21 June, 2016 - 11:32am

Looks plausible

I'd recommend keeping one to see what it turns into to confirm ID for sure. It would be great to have both images on the site.

… Aaron Hunt, 21 June, 2016 - 11:56am

attempt to positive ID

I have three in my custody and will attempt to photograph all phases of the change to adult form.
SOS

… Stan O. Sterba, 22 June, 2016 - 8:57am

Great

I look forward to seeing the series.

… Aaron Hunt, 22 June, 2016 - 9:54am

2 butterflies emerged

I was all set up to take photographs as the butterflies emerged from the chrysalis; I left for about a half hour and missed the whole process. I managed to get photographs of the butterflies drying their wings.

… Stan O. Sterba, 23 June, 2016 - 4:40pm

What Sulphur is this

I look at the adult butterfly markings and I'm not sure which Sulphur this is.

… Stan O. Sterba, 23 June, 2016 - 4:43pm

Neat

This was actually identified from the chrysalis as Phoebis agarithe. Look above the image and you'll notice the taxonomy. John and Jane Balaban moved it.

… Aaron Hunt, 23 June, 2016 - 6:14pm

Certainly Butterfly

Any idea which plants it was on?

… Teá Montagna, 20 June, 2016 - 1:44pm

moth or butterfly

1. Elbow Bush (Forestirera pubescens)
2. Adelia vaseyi (scientific name same as common name)
3. Crucillo (Randia rhagocarpa) Rubiacea family
one chrysalis was found on each of the above listed plants. There are virtually hundreds of different native plant species within fifty feet of the chrysalis in question. I live on 3 acres with numerous native plant species. My property is about three miles from Mexico/USA boarder and this area has many species of flora and fauna found nowhere else in the USA.
Thank you for your help

… Stan O. Sterba, 20 June, 2016 - 2:31pm

Beautiful and so unusual

I can't wait to see what species this is!

… Diane Young, 20 June, 2016 - 11:38am

moth or butterfly

I agree, beautiful and a mystery too.

… Stan O. Sterba, 20 June, 2016 - 11:44am