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Pieris rapae
The Small White (Pieris rapae) is a small- to medium-sized butterfly species of the Yellows-and-Whites family Pieridae. It is also known as the Small Cabbage White and in New Zealand, simply as White Butterfly. The names "Cabbage Butterfly" and "Cabbage White" can also refer to the Large White. It is widespread and populations are found across Europe, North Africa, Asia, and Great Britain. It has also been accidentally introduced to North America, Australia and New Zealand where it is causes damage to cultivated cabbages and other mustard family crops. The caterpillar stage alone is responsible for crop damage because of which it is referred to as the Imported Cabbageworm.. In appearance it looks like a smaller version of the Large White (Pieris brassicae). The upperside is creamy white with black tips to the forewings. Females also have two black spots in the center of the forewings. Its underwings are yellowish with black speckles. It is sometimes mistaken for a moth due to its plain-looking appearance. The wingspan of adults is roughly 32–47 mm (1.25–2 in).
The species has a natural range across Europe, Asia and North Africa. It spread across the Atlantic into Canada and the United States beginning somewhere around 1860.[3] It spread to Hawaii by 1898, and Australia in 1929 around Melbourne and spreading across to Perth by 1943.
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Nice spot! Since this is a butterfly, I have removed this from the Moths of the World Mission for you. An easy way to tell the difference between moths and butterflies are by the antennae. Butterflies have antennae that get thicker at the ends, like golf clubs, while moths have either feathery or straight antennae. Of course, there are exceptions, though!
Spotted on Jul 22, 2012
Submitted on Jul 23, 2012
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