Butterfly ID
Get the free app
Field guide · Denmark
Whites and yellows · Denmark

Moorland clouded yellow

Colias palaeno

Moorland clouded yellow is rare in Denmark. Both sexes have black borders on the uppersides of both forewings and hindwings. The flight period is from June to July. In Denmark, moorland clouded yellow has been found in a variety of habitats, but typically these have been raised bogs and hanging bog mires, which represent the species' natural habitat.

Status in this countryRare in DenmarkNA (Not applicable)
Moorland clouded yellow

Flight period

The flight period is from June to July. The larva can be observed from August to May.

Habitat

Papilio machaon (Denmark) has been found in a variety of habitats, but typically these have been meadows (moorland clouded yellow) and hanging moss areas (raised bogs), which represent the species' natural habitat.

Identifying features

Both sexes have dark borders on the uppersides of both forewings and hindwings. The male is lemon-yellow, while the female is completely white, with a single dark spot on the forewings.

Similar species

Neither sex can be confused with other clouded yellows. The male is distinguished by its lemon-yellow surface, while the female is distinguished by its entirely white surface, with only one spot on the forewing, and no spots in the dark wing tip.

Distribution

Moorland clouded yellow is a very rare migrant to Denmark. In 1992 an influx from Eastern Europe reached Denmark, with several hundred individuals seen within just a few days.

Biology

The moorland clouded yellow is a very rare migrant to Denmark, arriving from Sweden. The species is only active in warm weather.