Insect
Large White
Pieris brassicaeAlso known as Cabbage White, Cabbage Butterfly, Large Cabbage White
Large Whites are strong flyers characterized by bright white wings framed by distinct dark charcoal tips that extend down the outer edge. Females display two bold black spots on each forewing, whereas males show cleaner white upperwings with spots visible only on the underside. Caterpillars gather in social clusters to feed heavily on cultivated cabbages, kale, and wild brassicas, accumulating mustard oil glycosides that render them unpalatable to many birds.
DiurnalPollinatorGarden Wildlife
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyCabbage Leaves, Flower Nectar, Wild Mustard
Predators
- Insectivorous Birds
- Parasitic Wasps
- Spiders
ThreatsChemical pesticide applications in agricultural zones and heavy parasitism by braconid wasps.
HabitatsAgricultural fields, vegetable gardens, meadows, open woodland edges, and coastal dunes.
Life span3 to 6 weeks as active adults; total life cycle spans 1 to 2 months.
Classification
- OrderLepidoptera
- FamilyPieridae
- GenusPieris
- SpeciesPieris brassicae
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Garden Inspection: Search the undersides of brassica leaves for bright yellow, flask-shaped egg clusters.
- Sunny Observation: Look for adults fluttering actively over nectar flowers during warm summer afternoons.
Parasite (c) Barry Cottam, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Barry Cottam · cc-by
Close Relative John Tann from Sydney, Australia / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Kai Löhr, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kai Löhr · cc-by
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Mystic Meadows
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