Whilst in Haradh recently Phil Roberts and I saw huge numbers of Clouded
Yellows in a single pivot irrigation field. The numbers probably exceeded one
thousand individuals and it was an amazing sight. The Clouded Yellow is
occasionally common in all areas of Saudi Arabia, originating from North Africa
and southern Europe. The upperside is golden to orange yellow with a broad
black margin on all four wings and a black spot near the centre forewing. The underside
lacks the black borders and is lighter, with a more greenish tint, particularly
on the forewings. In the forewing underside is the same dark spot as on the
upperside, but often with a light centre; the hindwing underside has a white
centre spot, often with a smaller white or dark dot immediately above it.
Sometimes, a row of black dots occurs on the underwings' outer margins,
corresponding to where the black border ends on the upperside, Females differ
from the males in having yellow spots along the black borders on the upperside.
In flight, it is easily identifiable by the intense yellow colouring, and like
all Colias species, they hardly ever open their wings at rest, although the one
Phil photographed did open its wings very briefly allow Phil to take the photograph
below that he has kindly allowed me to use on my website.
