Whites (Pierinae) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

In this group

This introduced species is common around gardens and farms. Look for white wings with black tips and one or two dark forewing spots.

Checkered WhitePontia protodice

This open-country white is widespread in much of the United States. Dark checks along the veins and wing edges are strongest in females.

Margined WhitePieris marginalis

This western species is associated with streamside forests. Spring adults show heavier dark scaling along the veins than summer adults.

This eastern spring butterfly has hooked forewing tips; males add a bright orange patch at each tip.

Appearance: Adults are usually small to medium-sized butterflies with all six legs used for walking. Species with several generations can look different in spring and summer.
How to recognize it: Many species have white wings with dark tips, spots, or darkened veins. Orangetips and some tropical members show that not every butterfly in this group looks simply white.

Many sulphurs are yellow or orange rather than white. Some females are white, so use the wing pattern and a regional guide instead of color alone.

Why they get mixed upThey are close relatives with a similar size and flight style.

Typical habitats: gardens and farms
meadows
woodland edges
Range: Whites occur around the world. In the United States, different species occupy vegetable gardens, open plains, eastern woodlands, and western streamside forests.
Preferred conditions: Adults are easiest to find where flowers provide nectar. Caterpillars occur where their particular grow.
When it’s recorded: Recorded year-round, every year · most records in Jun–Aug
102,569 observations in the US · 10 years · for referenceChoose a state

Diet: Adults drink flower nectar. Many caterpillars feed on mustard-family plants or their relatives, but food plants vary by species.
Activity: Adults fly by day and regularly visit flowers.
Overwintering: In temperate areas, many species spend winter as a or caterpillar, but the stage varies by species and climate.

Reproduction: Females place eggs on the leaves, buds, or stems of suitable host plants. The caterpillar later becomes a pupa before the adult emerges.

Ties with other wildlife: Some Pieris caterpillars feed on cultivated mustard-family crops such as cabbage, broccoli, kale, and collards. The introduced Cabbage White is a familiar example in U.S. vegetable gardens.
Pollinators: Adults carry pollen as they move among flowers for nectar, though flower use differs by species and season.
Caterpillar food plants: Mustards, Capers, and AlliesBrassicales
Many Pierinae caterpillars feed on plants in this order, although some lineages use other hosts.

Group name: Pierinae is a within Pieridae.
Number of species: A 2006 estimate put the group at about 830 species worldwide.