Cabbage White
Common NameCabbage White
Scientific NamePieris rapae
FamilyPieridae
SubfamilyPierinae
Wingspan (mm)40
Wing Patternsolid
Primary Colorswhite, black
HabitatGardens, agricultural fields, meadows, disturbed areas, urban environments
Geographic RangeCosmopolitan (native to Europe, Asia, North Africa; introduced to North America, Australia, New Zealand)
Host Plantscabbage, broccoli, kale, radish, mustard, nasturtium
Flight PeriodEarly spring to late autumn (multiple broods)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesFemales lay single, ribbed, yellowish eggs on host plant leaves. Larvae are velvety green with a faint yellow stripe. Pupae are green or grayish-brown, camouflaged, and attached by a silken girdle.
Identification TipsKey features include its small to medium size, overall white coloration, black forewing tips, and one (male) or two (female) black spots on the forewings. The underside of the hindwings often has a yellowish-green tint.
Description
A small to medium-sized white butterfly, typically with a wingspan around 40mm. Males have one black spot on each forewing, while females have two, and both sexes feature black tips on their forewings.
