A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Pieris rapae
small white butterfly with a black dot on each wing (male), female has 2 or 3 spots. The tips of the wings are also darker. This specimine was seconds out of its chrysalis (cacoon) so the dark tips are still light. This butterfly is easy to misidentify as a moth because of its plain appearance.
Considered peasts by many farmers. This butterfly lays its eggs on cultivated cabbage, kale, broccoli, (did I hear someone yell YEA!??), horseradish, etc. The caterpillar is a verocious eater and hides well on the undersides of leaves which protects it from preditors.
We brought home a bundle of collard greens for dinner. We suddenly noticed one, then two, then three butterflies in the house. While cleaning the greens we saw pupa and caterpliiars! What fun!!!
Spotted on Feb 9, 2013
Submitted on Feb 9, 2013
1 Comment
Thanks for your interest in the mission "Parental care in insects and other invertebrates"! However unfortunately this spotting does not exhibit actual "parental care" but stages in metamorphosis so I have adjusted your list of missions.