Insect · GBIF taxon 5137800
Checkered White
Pontia protodiceAlso known as Southern Cabbage Butterfly
Checkered whites patrol open, sun-drenched fields, roadsides, and prairies with a rapid, erratic flight low to the ground. Females display distinct charcoal-gray checkerboard patterns on their chalky wings, whereas males are predominantly white with only sparse dark markings. Multiple generations emerge from spring through autumn, with cool-season broods developing heavier olive-gray scaling on their wing undersides to absorb morning warmth.
DiurnalPollinatorHerbivorous
Licensed reference(c) Megan McCarty, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Flower nectar
- Mustard foliage
- Mineral salts
Predators
- Insectivorous birds
- Crab spiders
- Praying mantises
ThreatsWidespread herbicide spraying, agricultural intensification, and competition from non-native pierids.
HabitatsPrairies, pastures, roadsides, agricultural edges, vacant lots, and desert scrub.
Life spanAdults live 1–3 weeks; complete life cycle takes 4–6 weeks.
Classification
- OrderLepidoptera
- FamilyPieridae
- GenusPontia
- SpeciesPontia protodice
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Harmless to humans; safe to observe at close range.
Responsible observation
- Observation Timing: Search sunny fields and waste grounds from mid-morning to late afternoon.
- Approach Quietly: Move slowly toward resting adults as they bask with wings outstretched.
Competitor John Tann from Sydney, Australia / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Host Plant (c) Joss Carr, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Joss Carr · cc-by
Predator (c) Wolfgang Jauch, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Wolfgang Jauch · cc-by
Close Relative no rights reserved · cc0
Image unavailableClose Relative
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