The clouded yellow (Colias croceus) is one of the most-widespread species in Europe. The upperside of the wings is golden to orange yellow with a broad black margin on all four wings and a black spot near the centre forewing. Usually it settles with its wings closed, so the black margin on the uppersides of the wings is difficult to see. In flight, it is easily identifiable by the intense yellow colouring, much brighter than that of the lemon-yellow male common brimstone which also lacks black markings. A small proportion of females are pale yellow (form helice), which can be confused with the rarer Pale and Berger's Clouded Yellows.
