The Cabbage White Butterfly - Pieris rapae
Appearance
Adults have a wingspan of about 45 mm and are white with some black markings. Larvae are green with a velvety texture and a row of yellow spots running horizontally along the body. Mature larvae are about 30 mm in length. Cabbage White eggs are oblong, whitish in color, eventually turning yellow. They would be found on the underside of host plant leaves.
Adults have a wingspan of about 45 mm and are white with some black markings. Larvae are green with a velvety texture and a row of yellow spots running horizontally along the body. Mature larvae are about 30 mm in length. Cabbage White eggs are oblong, whitish in color, eventually turning yellow. They would be found on the underside of host plant leaves.
Range
Cabbage Whites were introduced to America from Europe around 1860. They are America's most common butterfly and can be found all over the world. |
Life Cycle
The Cabbage White in its larval stage can be a serious pest to cabbage family plant growers. It goes through winter in its pupal stage on host plants and adults emerge in mid-Spring. The development of the egg to the adult takes about 3 to 6 weeks. There are 3 to 5 generations per year. Host Plants This butterfly feeds on all cabbage family plants, but especially prefers broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower. |