Great Southern White
Ascia monuste (Linnaeus, 1764)
Family: Pieridae
Subfamily: Pierinae
Identification: Upper surface of male forewing white with black zigzag pattern on outer margin. Dry season female form resembles male with heavier black zigzag pattern and a small black spot in the wing cell. Wet-season female is darkened with black scales above and below.
Wing Span: 2 1/2 - 3 3/8 inches (6.3 - 8.6 cm).
Life History: Males patrol for females. Eggs are laid on the upper surface of host plant leaves in groups of about 20.
Flight: All year in South Texas, peninsular Florida, and along the Gulf Coast.
Caterpillar Hosts: Mustard family (Brassicaceae) plants including beach cabbage (Cakile maritima), cultivated cabbage and radish, peppergrass (Lepidium species); and plants in the caper family (Capparidaceae) including nasturtium.
Adult Food: Nectar from many species of flowers including saltwort, lantana, and verbena.
Habitat: Salt marshes, coastal dunes, open fields, and gardens.
Range: Resident of south Atlantic and Gulf coasts south through tropical America. Migratory along the Southeastern coast. Strays to Maryland, Kansas, and Colorado.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None noted.
Comments: NULL
Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 373 verified sightings
Observation date: Jun 15, 2019
Submitted by: kye
Region: Highlands County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 15, 2019
Observation date: Jun 01, 2019
Submitted by: wlu
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 02, 2019
Observation date: May 22, 2019
Submitted by: Sandybch34
Region: Lee County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 26, 2019
Observation date: May 20, 2019
Submitted by: HHowell
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 21, 2019
Observation date: May 21, 2019
Submitted by: HHowell
Region: Volusia County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 21, 2019
Observation date: May 17, 2019
Submitted by: wlu
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 19, 2019
Observation date: May 12, 2019
Submitted by: ReggieGal
Region: Lake County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 12, 2019
Observation date: May 04, 2019
Submitted by: wlu
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 05, 2019
Observation date: Mar 12, 2019
Submitted by: gblkrum
Region: Dominican Republic
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: Apr 29, 2019
Observation date: Apr 13, 2019
Submitted by: kellydfl
Region: Collier County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 19, 2019
Observation date: Mar 30, 2019
Submitted by: Venus
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 19, 2019
Observation date: Apr 09, 2019
Submitted by: plex1ppus
Region: Polk County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 19, 2019
Observation date: Apr 16, 2019
Submitted by: wlu
Region: Polk County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 19, 2019
Observation date: Apr 12, 2019
Submitted by: mellielong
Region: Hillsborough County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 13, 2019
Observation date: Apr 12, 2019
Submitted by: wlu
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 13, 2019
Observation date: Apr 04, 2019
Submitted by: wlu
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 04, 2019
Observation date: Mar 16, 2019
Submitted by: Dennis Forsythe
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 26, 2019
Observation date: Mar 16, 2019
Submitted by: wlu
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 19, 2019
Observation date: Mar 09, 2019
Submitted by: GPete
Region: Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 09, 2019
Observation date: Feb 28, 2019
Submitted by: KateTweedy
Region: Georgia, United States
Verified by: Mikelchap
Verified date: Mar 02, 2019
Observation date: Sep 18, 2018
Submitted by: KateTweedy
Region: Georgia, United States
Verified by: Mikelchap
Verified date: Mar 02, 2019
Observation date: Feb 05, 2019
Submitted by: KateTweedy
Region: Georgia, United States
Verified by: Mikelchap
Verified date: Feb 12, 2019
Observation date: Feb 05, 2019
Submitted by: KateTweedy
Region: Georgia, United States
Verified by: Mikelchap
Verified date: Feb 12, 2019
Observation date: Feb 24, 2018
Submitted by: gunhilda
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jan 03, 2019
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