Indian Cabbage White (Pieris canidia) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

The Indian Cabbage White is a white butterfly found in parts of South and East Asia. Its white wings and black forewing tip can resemble those of the Cabbage White familiar across the United States, but a row of dark marks along the hindwing edges helps tell them apart.

Appearance

Appearance: Adults span about 1.7–2.4 in (42–60 mm). The upper side is white to pale cream with a black forewing tip, and females usually carry broader, darker markings than males.

Look-alikes

Cabbage WhitePieris rapae

Indian Cabbage Whites show dark dots at the ends of the hindwing veins and a more toothed inner edge to the black forewing tip. Cabbage Whites lack the hindwing edge row and usually have a simpler black tip.

Why they get mixed upBoth are small white butterflies with black spots and a black forewing tip.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: Forest edges in Korea
Streamside openings in Korea
Farms in its Asian range
Range: This butterfly lives across parts of South and East Asia.

Behavior

Diet: In northern India, adults sip nectar from flowers. Caterpillars eat mustard-family plants.
Activity: In northern India, adults fly by day and may gather at damp patches on hot, dry days.

Life cycle

Caterpillar food plants: In its Asian range, caterpillars feed on mustard-family plants.

Name and classification

About the name: It was also called Artogeia canidia. It is also called the Asian Cabbage White.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed

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