Colias hyale (Linnaeus, 1758)

Colias alfacariensis Ribbe, 1905

Imagines of these two species cannot be safely identified even by a genitalia check. However larvae are very different. Rearing experiments undertaken by Vladimir Savchuk (to whom I am grateful for his enthusiasm) proved that both species are present in our region (see the larvae photos at the bottom of this page). At two sites they appear sympatrically and synchronously. Probably both are equally common. More research concerning the species delimitation in our region is needed. The phenological information below concerns both species.

Common. Three overlapping generations: May - October.

Early/late dates: May 4 - October 27.

Habitat: various open places.

C. hyale/alfacariensis male C. hyale/alfacariensis female

IX-29-2007, Kharkov reg., Dergachi distr., Gavrilovka; male

IX-15-2007, Kharkov, Zhikhar'; female

C. hyale/alfacariensis male C. hyale female

V-21-2006, Kharkov reg., Volchansk distr., Okhrimovka (aka Efremovka); male

VI-01-2006, Kharkov reg., Volchansk distr., Okhrimovka (aka Efremovka); female

C. hyale/alfacariensis male C. hyale/alfacariensis male

VIII-25-2011, Kharkov reg., Dergachi distr., Gavrilovka; male

VIII-25-2011, Kharkov reg., Dergachi distr., Gavrilovka; male

C. hyale/alfacariensis males C. hyale male

VI-22-2007, Kharkov reg., Volchansk distr., Okhrimovka (aka Efremovka); males

VIII-16-2006, Kharkov, Lesopark; male

C. hyale/alfacariensis pair C. hyale/alfacariensis pair

VIII-28-2007, Kharkov reg., Volchansk distr., Bochkovo; female (left) rejecting mating attempt

VII-22-2009, Kharkov reg., Novaya Vodolaga distr., Fedorovka; female left, male right

C. hyale/alfacariensis male C. hyale/alfacariensis pair

VIII-24-2009, Kharkov reg., Izyum distr., Mala Komyshuvakha; male

IX-04-2010, Kharkov reg., Balakleya distr., Glazunovka; female left, male right

C. hyale/alfacariensis female C. hyale/alfacariensis female

IX-25-2010, Kharkov reg., Zmijev distr., Sukhaya Gomol'sha; female

IX-26-2011, Kharkov reg., Kharkov distr., Liptsy; female rejecting mating attempt

C. hyale/alfacariensis ovum C. hyale/alfacariensis ovum

VIII-27-2011, Kharkov, Zhikhar'; ovum on Trifolium sp.

VI-22-2007, Kharkov reg., Volchansk distr., Okhrimovka (aka Efremovka); ovum on S. varia

C. hyale larva C. alfacariensis larva

C. hyale mature larva: Kharkov, Pyatikhatki, from a female taken on VIII-28-2010;
studio photo taken on IX-18-2010 by Vladimir SAVCHUK

C. alfacariensis mature larva: Kharkov, Pyatikhatki, from a female taken on VIII-28-2010;
studio photo taken on IX-18-2010 by Vladimir SAVCHUK

C. hyale larva C. alfacariensis larva

C. hyale mature larva: Kharkov reg., Izyum distr., Mala Komyshuvakha, from a female
taken on VIII-30-2010; studio photo taken on IX-18-2010 by Vladimir SAVCHUK

C. alfacariensis mature larva: Kharkov reg., Izyum distr., Mala Komyshuvakha, from a female
taken on VIII-30-2010; studio photo taken on IX-18-2010 by Vladimir SAVCHUK

C. hyale/alfacariensis pair

VIII-02-2006, Kharkov reg., Volchansk distr., Okhrimovka (aka Efremovka);
female (below) rejecting mating attempt

Map

Blue dots: C. hyale
Green dots: C. hyale & C. alfacariensis
Red dots: C. hyale/alfacariensis (species undetermined)

BACK



Hosted by uCoz