Shy Yellow (Eurema messalina [Maynard])
Wing span: 1 - 1 1/2 inches (2.6 - 3.8 cm).
Identification: Both sexes creamy white. Males with black borders on outer edges of both wings; female with black apex. Male has pink bar on underside of forewing that fades after death.
Life history: Females lay single eggs on top of host plant leaves.
Flight: Most common in May-August; February.
Caterpillar hosts: Tick trefoils (Desmodium) and Cassia species in the pea family (Fabaceae).
Adult food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Shady, brushy areas.
Range: Resident in West Indies; very rare stray in southern Florida.
