A migrant butterfly seen in varying numbers each year, with occasional ‘bumper’ years, such as 1996, 2000 and 2006. It will breed during the summer months in the UK, but does not generally survive the winter. However this butterfly has been known to survive year-round on the Bournemouth Undercliff. This was first noted in 1999 by Mike Skelton. Dorset and Devon are the best counties for this butterfly.

Where to see

Habitat: This butterfly's native breeding habitat is round the Mediterranean, from which it migrates northward and reaches our shores. Summer breeding takes place where there is a good supply of its foodplants.

Caterpillar foodplants: Clovers, lucerne (alfalfa) and sometimes Bird's-foot Trefoil and other legumes.

Best places: May be sighted almost anywhere, but as they come in from the English Channel, there may be a better chance of seeing them near the coast. The butterfly walk along the side of the Weymouth Relief road often records them.

Also try places with flowers on which the adults like to nectar: Vetches, Thistles, Marjoram, Knapweeds, Fleabane and Dandelion may attract them. They do visit gardens.

Distribution map

When to see

Mainly turns up in late summer and autumn, though odd specimens turn up at surprising times.

Sightings by month (last 5 years)*:

Sightings this year*:

Notes

Although this is called the Clouded Yellow, if you see a butterfly which is bright yellow in flight, it is more likely to be a male Brimstone. Clouded Yellows look more golden yellow or even orange in flight.

Close up, the Clouded Yellow has green eyes, while the Brimstone has dark eyes. The shape of the wings is also very different: the Clouded Yellow has rounded wings, while the Brimstone has points to its wings.

Around ten percent of females each year are of a form known as ‘helice’ which is paler than the norm and ranges from white to grey. Some examples of the Helice form are seen most years. There are much more rare forms, known as the Pale Clouded Yellow and Berger’s Clouded Yellow, but it is unlikely you will see one of these.

The Clouded Yellow always lands with its wings closed, so seeing the upper wings is rare, but necessary if you are to distinguish the two other forms of this butterfly which only show up in very small numbers: the Pale Clouded Yellow and Berger’s Clouded Yellow.

Photo gallery

Clouded Yellow. Note the large white spot ringed in pale red on the hindwing, which differentiates the Clouded Yellow from other Whites. Photo: Chris Rowland

Clouded Yellow. Photo: Bob Ford

Clouded Yellow. A very unusual view of its upper wings. Photo: Tim Field

Clouded Yellow emerging from its chyrsalis. Photo: Nick Urch

Clouded Yellow helice form: note the large white area on the upper underside wing. Photo: Chris Becker

Clouded Yellow female helice form. Photo: Andy Martin