Cloudless Sulphur Butterfly: Safe Or Not Safe

[brandon1]

I was wondering if Cloudless Sulphur butterflies (Phoebis sennae) were a safe butterfly to feed chams. I have researched them quite a bit but I still don't know if they would be entirely safe to feed or not. From what I've read, the caterpillars do feed on plants that are considered toxic to cattle, goats, and "some other animals" if consumed in large quantities. But I never find anything where it states that by feeding on the plants it cause the worms to build up toxins in their body and then continue to carry those toxins in their bodies when they turn into butterflies. The actual butterfly will feed on nectar from certain species of flowers including Hibiscus, so the only way I could see the butterfly to be harmful is if, while they are in their larval stage, they acquire their toxicity from the plants they are feeding on. Any personal experience with these butterflies or websites I could be directed to will be much appreciated.

 

[brandon1]

Bump

Just wanted to bump this up because I would really like to know.

 

[pssh]

If the larvae eat toxic plants, don't feed them. Better safe than sorry. That said, I've fed orange sulphur butterflies, but they are from a different genus and I know what the large fed on.

Edit: *larvae* not large

 

[dinokeeper]

agree. all the poisonous butterflies that i know of derrive their toxins from plants they ate as larvae.