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Large White caterpillars

Pieris brassicae

Description:

An invasion of caterpillars on the wall of the house. There were about ten. The first instar follows hatching of the egg into Large White larvae. The larvae are a light yellow in color with distinctive brown heads and have soft bodies. The larvae appear as if they are very hairy. Following a molting, the larvae enter the second instar. They have tubercles covered with black hair. In the third instar, large white larvae display more activity. This instar is when the larvae are observed to eat voraciously, and cause significant amounts of damage to their host plant. At this point, they are observed to be more yellow in color, studded with black dots. Following the third instar, the larvae go through the fourth instar, with similar appearances as the larvae of the third instar, but with more aggrandized size and feeding behavior. The Large White larvae are observed to be cylindrical, robust, and elongated by the fifth instar, yellow in color and with bright coloration on their abdomen and thorax. They are also observed to have a gray and black head. This instar requires maximum food quality and quantity in order to aid in full development, otherwise the larvae dies before becoming an adult butterfly.

1 Species ID Suggestions

Paul Davis
Paul Davis 10 years ago
Large White or Cabbage White Butterfly
Pieris brassicae


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3 Comments

maplemoth662
maplemoth662 6 years ago

Beautiful caterpillars....

valentinezza
valentinezza 10 years ago

Thank you Paul for the ID!

bayucca
bayucca 10 years ago

Thanks Paul for the ID, I agree. Please, do not forget to add some links to your suggestions, thanks.

valentinezza
Spotted by
valentinezza

LIG, Italy

Spotted on Feb 9, 2014
Submitted on Feb 10, 2014

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Reference

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