Its range includes Alaska to the Northwest Territories and south to Arizona and New Mexico.

[1] In the male above similar to Colias philodice, but has more glossy yellow ground colour with orange-yellow tinge, particularly on the hindwing.

The under surface, however, is very different in both sexes, namely silver grey on the hindwing with silvery median spot.

[1] Larvae feed on Thermopsis, Astragalus, Lathyrus, Oxytropis, and Lupinus species.

Ferris[3] recognized them as separate species in studies, based on geographic distribution, habitat preferences, female wing pattern, and male ultraviolet wing patterns.