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Cabbage White

Pierisrapae

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Pieris rapae by Scorpioangel
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Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Pieridae
Genus
Pieris
Species
rapae
Regional

This bug has been reportedly found in the following regions:

Mobile, Alabama

Marion, Arkansas

Logan Lake, British Columbia

Canoga Park, California

Pasadena, California

San Diego, California

San Francisco, California

Greeley, Colorado

Boca Raton, Florida

Quincy, Florida

Algonquin, Illinois

Divernon, Illinois

Galva, Illinois

Princeton, Illinois

Westchester, Illinois

Yale, Iowa

Hebron, Kentucky

Melbourne, Kentucky

Denham Springs, Louisiana

Millersville, Maryland

Oakland, Maryland

Algonac, Michigan

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Butte, Montana

Missoula, Montana

Lincoln, Nebraska

Maplewood, New Jersey

Marlton, New Jersey

Brooklyn, New York

Buffalo, New York

Kingston, New York

Middle Village, New York

Ridgewood, New York

Warwick, New York

St John's, Newfoundland and Labrador

Graham, North Carolina

Dayton, Ohio

Glouster, Ohio

Lebanon, Ohio

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Gold Hill, Oregon

Alexandria, Pennsylvania

Bushkill, Pennsylvania

Hummelstown, Pennsylvania

Fort Worth, Texas

Red Oak, Texas

Chewelah, Washington

Lakewood, Washington

Port Orchard, Washington

Pullman, Washington

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Gardener's Notes:
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3 positive 3 neutral 3 negative
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A

AFinSD

San Diego, CA | September 2016 | Positive
This is a butterfly that is seen quite frequently here in San Diego.

I like this one because I associate it with the coming of Springtime.
C

Chillybean

(Zone 5a) | February 2015 | Negative
I will give this species a negative because it is not native, but I will not use poisonous means to kill any. The children are given a quarter for each adult they catch; we sometimes use Green Bug, but are careful not to put any on flowers to harm pollinators; and we encourage birds to nest here by not using harmful chemicals on lawn or plants. The Chipping Sparrows are one bird that seem to specifically hunt for this bug, both the larvae and adult.
d

drobarr

Hummelstown, PA (Zone 6b) | July 2013 | Negative
Very common to see this pest flying around in July and August in central PA. The worm of this pest infests fall sown crucifers.
P

Phellos

Port Vincent, LA | April 2013 | Neutral
Extremely rare in this part of Louisiana! We're lucky if we see more than one or two migrants despite the fact that there are different types of mustard and caper, both cultivated and wild, every where one looks!
R

RosinaBloom

(Zone 1) | September 2012 | Positive
The Butterfly (white) Pieris rapae is also known as a Cabbage Butterfly. They were already in Europe, North America, Hawaii and Asia, arriving in New Zealand around 1930, and now breed about six generations a year in the north, and about 3 generations in the south. The male is distinguished by the two black spots on his wings.
The caterpillars are major pests in gardens and market gardens. They eat cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, swedes, turnips and nasturtiums. Infact they eat any cruciferous plant containing mustard oil.
S

SusanLouise

Lincoln, NE (Zone 5b) | August 2009 | Positive
I love all butterflies...and it's such a joy to see the 1st one in the Spring. I plant Cleome' for them...it's one of their host plants...
M

Malus2006

Coon Rapids, MN (Zone 4a) | February 2008 | Neutral
They are one of the most common butterflies around, coming in on the first warm winds (50 to 60 degree) during early spring - have seen them in Minnesota in April. Since they eat mustard family, they eat many weeds. The negative is that they limit ornamental lettuce to the cooler days around the edges of the growing season as their caterpillars (fairly small and green) will leaves lots of holes in ornamental lettuce and to find them you have to look under the leaves. They are also one of the last to leave in the fall - even coming back after the first frost. They are always searching for host plants or mates. In the Midwest 80 to 90% of white butterflies are this species, the other % white phase of Yellow Sulphur or rarer whites. To id White phase of Sulphur you have to be lucky up close o... read more
w

woofie

Chewelah, WA (Zone 5a) | November 2006 | Negative
I found this comment on several websites as I was looking for information on this bug (which is also known as Cabbage Butterfly):

"The infested foliage is toxic upon consumption by animals. "
S

Scorpioangel

Gold Hill, OR (Zone 7a) | July 2006 | Neutral
Identification: Upperside of wings white; forewing with black tip. Two submarginal black spots in female, one in male. Underside of hindwing and forewing apex evenly yellow-green or gray-green. Spring and fall short-day form is smaller, less yellow, with reduced black areas.

Caterpillar hosts: Many plants in the mustard (Brassicaceae) family and occasionally some in the caper family (Capparidaceae).

Adult food: Flower nectar from a very wide array of plants including mustards, dandelion, red clover, asters, and mints.

Habitat: Almost any type of open space including weedy areas, gardens, roadsides, cities, and suburbs.

Range: From central Canada south through the United States (except Florida Keys, southern Louisiana, and Sout... read more
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