Yellow butterflies and the end of summer

 

Like a lot of North Carolinians, we end up enjoying the beach this time of year, as we lean into Labor Day. One of my favorite consistencies about this time of year is the appearance of yellow butterflies. The only time I tend to see them is in late-August. For a while, I thought I only saw them along the coast, but this morning there were ample yellow butterflies around Pullen Park in Raleigh.

To me, these flying beauties are the sign that summer is coming to a close. The appearance of them has become something of a family touchstone. "Well, there they are. Guess summer's over."

But for years I didn't really know what they were really called. Turns out they are Phoebis sennae. But they are also called cloudless sulphur butterflies. 

Sam Bland with Coastal Review Online has a wonderful description of these creatures:

Along the coastal plain of North Carolina, anyone out for a walk will notice one of the first signs of the approaching autumn skipping just past their noses. At first, a sighting here and there, then a trickle of brilliant yellow streaks floating through the air, followed by a steady stream of fluttering lemon yellow butterflies. The cloudless sulphur butterfly has arrived and it has relaxed my grip on summer.

The dazzling and showy color of the cloudless sulphur is reflected in the insect’s scientific name, Phoebis sennae. Phoebis is derived from Pheobe, the Titan goddess of Greek mythology, who was known for her radiance and brightness. Pheobe was also known for her prophecies. The arrival of the cloudless sulphur butterflies along the coast has long been an alarm clock, alerting the local fishermen to ready their gear as the waters will soon be thick with spot and mullet. Its common name, cloudless sulphur, represents its sulphur-colored wings that are clear and free of blemish. ... In North Carolina, they have been documented in all 100 counties and are predominantly seen during the fall migration while limited numbers are seen in the spring.

It seems like there are few consistent things in the world or in life these days. So I welcome the cloudless sulphurs back this year, as I have in previous years. It's nice to see you, old friends.

Photo from Sam's Field Notes.