cabbage white
(Pieris rapae)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Biology • Distribution • Taxonomy
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Description |
Cabbage white is an exotic, small to medium-sized butterfly. It is native to Europe and Asia. It was introduced into Quebec in the 1860s. It has since become very common and in some areas abundant across North America. It is a crop pest. The upperside of the wings are white. There is a black spot in the middle of the forewing and a black or blackish wingtip. There is also a black spot near the middle of the leading margin of the hindwing. The female has an additional black spot on the forewing near the inner margin. The underside of the forewing is white with one (male) or two (female) black spots and a pale yellow wingtip. The underside of the hindwing is uniformly pale yellowish-green or grayish-green. |
Size |
Wingspan: 1¾″ to 2¼″ |
Similar Species |
Mustard white (Pieris oleracea) has no black spots in the middle of the forewing. The veins on the underside of the hindwing are highlighted with yellowish-green or grayish-green. It is absent in the southern half of Minnesota. |
Habitat |
Open or lightly wooded areas; gardens, roadsides, crop lands, urban areas. |
Biology |
Season |
Three broods. Early May to late September. |
Behavior |
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Life Cycle |
Females lay single eggs on the underside of a host leaf. The pupa overwinters as a chrysalis. |
Larva Hosts |
Plants in the mustard (Brassicaceae) and caper (Capparidaceae) families. |
Adult Food |
Flower nectar from mustard, dandelion, red clover, aster, and mint. |
Distribution |
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Sources 7, 21, 22, 24, 29, 30, 71, 75, 82, 83. Biodiversity occurrence data published by: Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas (accessed through the Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas Portal, bellatlas.umn.edu, 7/3/2025). |
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| 7/3/2025 | ||
Nativity |
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Native to Europe and Asia. Introduced and widely naturalized in North America. |
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Occurrence |
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Common to abundant and widespread; crop pest |
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Taxonomy |
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Order |
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Superfamily |
Papilionoidea (butterflies) |
Family |
Pieridae (whites, yellows and sulphurs) |
Subfamily |
Pierinae (whites) |
Tribe |
Pierini |
Subtribe |
Pierina |
Genus |
Pieris (garden whites) |
Subordinate Taxa |
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cabbage white (Pieris rapae atomaria) cabbage white (Pieris rapae crucivora) cabbage white (Pieris rapae eumorpha) cabbage white (Pieris rapae leucosoma) cabbage white (Pieris rapae mauretanica) cabbage white (Pieris rapae napi) cabbage white (Pieris rapae novangliae) cabbage white (Pieris rapae orientalis) cabbage white (Pieris rapae rapae) |
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Synonyms |
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Artogeia rapae Papilio rapae Pieris brassciae var. crucivora Pieris metra Pieris rapae ssp. flavescens |
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Common Names |
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cabbage butterfly cabbage white imported cabbageworm (larva) small cabbage white |
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Glossary
Chrysalis
The pupa (third) stage of a butterfly or moth during which the caterpillar metamorphoses into an adult. In moths, the pupa is enclosed in a silk cocoon. In butterflies, the pupa is naked but protected by a hardened outer shell.
Visitor Photos |
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Nancy Lundquist |
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Alfredo Colon |
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Tom Baker |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Slideshows |
Cabbage White |
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About
Copyright DianesDigitals European Cabbage White Butterfly, Pieris rapae |
Pieris rapae (Cabbage White) |
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Cabbage White |
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Visitor Videos |
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Other Videos |
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Cabbagewhite Butterfly --Pieris rapae-- Life Cycle |
About
Uploaded on Dec 13, 2011 Pieris rapae, also known as the Cabbagewhite or Brassica butterfly, completes its entire life cycle in this minimally-narrated video. Pieris rapae raised along with Wisconsin Fast Plants provide a rich example of interdependence and interrelatedness among organisms who share a habitat. For open access lessons and additional information about Pieris, visit the Wisconsin Fast Plant Program's website at www.fastplants.org and search our digital library under the "Activities" tab. |
Cabbage White Butterfly (Pieridae: Pieris rapae) Female on Leaf |
About
Uploaded on Aug 6, 2011 Photographed on the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi River north of Red Wing, Minnesota (04 August 2011). Thank you to Kelly Fiegle (@Bugguide.net) for confirming the identity and identifying the sex of this specimen! |
Pieris rapae - gdoremi.altervista.org |
About
Published on Jan 3, 2013 Comunissima farfalla della famiglia delle Pieirdae |
Cabbage White Butterfly |
About
Uploaded on Oct 8, 2011 Cabbage White Butterfly common in all North America |
Visitor Sightings |
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Alfredo Colon |
Location: Albany, NY |
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| Alfredo Colon 8/2/2022 |
Location: Albany, NY |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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Created: 12/7/2010 Last Updated: © MinnesotaSeasons.com. All rights reserved. |