Pieridae: Pierinae

1549 (ABH58.006) Large White Pieris brassicae, (Linnaeus, 1758)

KR06995

Monks Wood
Monks Wood
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Monks Wood
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
 pre-2000
 2000-2009
 2010-2019
 2020-onwards
Whitelye, Monmouthshire, August 2010
Whitelye, Monmouthshire, August 2010
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Hemingford Grey, 2nd August 2014. Larva on Hedge Garlic.
Hemingford Grey, 2nd August 2014. Larva on Hedge Garlic.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingford Grey, 2nd August 2014. Larvae on Hedge Garlic.
Hemingford Grey, 2nd August 2014. Larvae on Hedge Garlic.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies


General Information

This species and the Small White are both also known as the Cabbage White.

Overwinters as Overwinters as a pupa.

Wingspan: M: 58mm, F: 63mm
Foodplant(s): cabbages (Brassica spp.), Wild Cabbage (Brassica oleracea), Rape (Brassica napus), crucifers (Cruciferae)
Flying: Two generations, April-June and July-early September
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Habitat

Anywhere.

Regional Information

Recorded in 275 (101.9%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in April 2025

Recorded date range (Adult): 07 February to 01 December

Recorded date range (Larva/Leafmine): 01 January to 30 September

Similar Species
ex. Larva, Great Staughton, May 2012
ex. Larva, Great Staughton, May 2012
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Small White Pieris rapae
Hemingford Grey, May 2005, (male).
Hemingford Grey, May 2005, (male).
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Green-veined White Pieris napi


Larva/Leafmine:
Larva Type:
Hairy
Colours:
Grey, black, yellow
No. of Proleg Pairs:
5