CABBAGE WHITE (Artogeia rapae)

Flight Period: The cabbage white butterfly is one of the most common butterflies in the U.S.  It was introduced from Europe in the 1860s and later became a principal pest of cabbage and other cole vegetables (Brassicaceae).  The cabbage white has continual broods and may be seen flying all months of the year when temperatures are higher than the mid-50s Fahrenheit.

Range: All of North America south of Canadian Taiga to southern Mexico.  Introduced in Hawaii, Bermuda, Australia, and New Zealand.

Host Plants: Cabbage white caterpillars feed on a wide variety of  garden vegetables in the Mustard Family (Brassicaceae); cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, mustards, radish, and garden plants such as alyssum (Alyssum) and wallflower (Cheiranthus).  Other host plant families include nasturtium (Tropaeolaceae), caper (Capparaceae), and mignonette (Reseda odorata, Resedaceae).

Wing Span: 1 1/4 - 1 7/8” (32 - 48 mm).