Species Details
Colias gigantea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameGiant Sulphur
SeasonalityOne brood annually, with peak flight activity from late June to late July.
IdentificationMost similar to the Pink-edged Sulphur (C. interior), but gigantea is larger (forewing length 26 - 32 mm, compared to 22 - 27 mm), with a larger discal spot and often with a more pronounced satellite spot. The shape of the forewing is also more rounded. Boreal region populations are subspecies mayi, while those from the Crowsnest Pass region southward are slightly smaller and are considered supspecies harroweri (Bird et al. 1995).
Scientific Name
Colias gigantea
Common Name
Giant Sulphur
Habitat
Fens, bogs and wet meadows.
Seasonality
One brood annually, with peak flight activity from late June to late July.
Identification
Most similar to the Pink-edged Sulphur (C. interior), but gigantea is larger (forewing length 26 - 32 mm, compared to 22 - 27 mm), with a larger discal spot and often with a more pronounced satellite spot. The shape…
Most similar to the Pink-edged Sulphur (C. interior), but gigantea is larger (forewing length 26 - 32 mm, compared to 22 - 27 mm), with a larger discal spot and often with a more pronounced satellite spot. The shape of the forewing is also more rounded. Boreal region populations are subspecies mayi, while those from the Crowsnest Pass region southward are slightly smaller and are considered supspecies harroweri (Bird et al. 1995).
Life History
The immature stages are undescribed. It is believed that larvae overwinter (Bird et al. 1995). The wet, shrubby areas inhabited by this species means it is not often observed, but road allowances through fens and bogs…
The immature stages are undescribed. It is believed that larvae overwinter (Bird et al. 1995). The wet, shrubby areas inhabited by this species means it is not often observed, but road allowances through fens and bogs with regenerating willows are good places to look for this insect.
Conservation
Not of concern.
Diet Info
The larvae feed on willows (Layberry et al. 1998). There are no published reports of adult feeding behaviour.
Range
Alaska south to northern Ontario, southern Manitoba, and northwestern Wyoming (Opler 1999).
Citation
Page Citation for Colias gigantea
Page Citation
"Species Details - Colias gigantea, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2544. Accessed 15 May. 2025.
References
Author
Opler, Paul A.
Title
A field guide to western butterflies.
Publication Date
1999
Pages
540
Author
Bird, C. D., G.J. Hilchie, N.G. Kondla, E.M. Pike and F. A. H. Sperling
Title
Alberta Butterflies
Publication Date
1995
Pages
349
Author
Layberry, Ross A.; Hall, Peter W. and J. Donald LaFontaine
Title
The Butterflies of Canada
Publication Date
1998
Pages
280
Specimen Information
There are 13 specimens of this Species.
UASM78018 - Colias gigantea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park, Gardiner Lakes
Collected ByJohnson, T.
Date Collected2004-07-08
UASM78019 - Colias gigantea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park, Gardiner Lakes
Collected ByMacaulay, D. A.; Macaulay, S. H.
Date Collected2004-07-11
UASM78020 - Colias gigantea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park, Gardiner Lakes
Collected ByMacaulay, D. A.; Macaulay, S. H.
Date Collected2004-07-11
UASM78021 - Colias gigantea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park, Birch Lakes
Collected ByNordstrom, W.
Date Collected2004-07-18
UASM78022 - Colias gigantea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park, Big Island Lake
Collected ByHilchie, G.; Macaulay, D. A.; Macaulay, S. H.
Date Collected2004-07-08
UASM78023 - Colias gigantea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park, Big Island Lake
Collected ByHilchie, G.; Macaulay, D. A.; Macaulay, S. H.
Date Collected2004-07-08
UASM78135 - Colias gigantea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park, Big Island Lake
Collected ByMacaulay, D. A.; Macaulay, S. H.
Date Collected2004-07-11
UASM78136 - Colias gigantea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park, Big Island Lake
Collected ByMacaulay, D. A.; Macaulay, S. H.
Date Collected2004-07-11
UASM213181 - Colias gigantea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Caribou Mountains Wildland Park, Wentzel Lake
Collected ByMacaulay, D.; Dunne, S.
Date Collected2003-07-10
UASM213182 - Colias gigantea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kananaskis Country, Moose Mountain
Collected ByAnderson, R. L.
Date Collected1989-07-23
UASM213183 - Colias gigantea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kananaskis Country, Moose Mountain
Collected ByAnderson, R. L.
Date Collected1986-07-20
CBCC1430 - Colias gigantea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Moose Lake Provincial Park
Collected ByChristensen, C. B.
Date Collected2005-06-24
CBCC1431 - Colias gigantea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Moose Lake Provincial Park
Collected ByChristensen, C. B.
Date Collected2005-06-24