Indian Cabbage White
Common NameIndian Cabbage White
Scientific NamePieris canidia
FamilyPieridae
SubfamilyPierinae
Wingspan (mm)50
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorswhite, black, yellow
HabitatGardens, cultivated fields, open grasslands, forest edges, urban areas
Geographic RangeIndian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, parts of China, Japan
Host Plantscabbage, mustard, radish, nasturtium, other Brassicaceae species
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropical regions; multiple broods from spring to autumn in temperate areas
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on the leaves of host plants. The larvae are green caterpillars that feed on the foliage, and pupation occurs on the host plant or nearby vegetation.
Identification TipsLook for the white wings with distinct black spots on the forewings (number varies by sex) and a dark, often triangular, marking at the forewing tip. The yellowish underside of the hindwings is also a key feature.
Description
A medium-sized white butterfly with two prominent black spots on the forewings of the female (one for the male) and dark markings at the forewing apex. The underside of the hindwings is typically yellowish.
