Family Pieridae - Whites, Sulphurs, Yellows

Pierids

There are about 1,100 species worldwide and 58 in North America (Scott, 1986). Conservation Assessment for the West Virginia White (Pieris virginiensis Edwards).

Nearctica lists 68 species in 16 genera.

Adults, medium to small wings white, yellow, or orange, with some black or red; many have hidden ultraviolet patterns used in courtship.

Most larvae feed on plants of the mustard family, Cruciferae.

There may be more than one generation per year. Females lay columnar eggs on leaves, buds or stems. Usually they overwinter as larvae or pupae.

"The family Pieridae contains many species, most of which are white or yellow, marked with black and orange. They are usually called ' whites' or 'sulphurs'. In fact, the common name, 'butterfly', indicates this yellow or yellow-orange color of the insects. This common name was probably first applied to yellow European members of this family. They are very abundant and are often found at mud puddles. There are many common forms, such as the cabbage butterfly, (Pieris rapae), an introduced species and one of our most abundant and widespread species, generally recognized by everyone."(1)

Arnett & Jacques (1)