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.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 569 verified sightings
Observation date: Jun 01, 2025
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Jun 12, 2025
Observation date: May 09, 2025
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: May 19, 2025
Observation date: Feb 13, 2025
Submitted by: hiker96
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Feb 22, 2025
Observation date: Feb 06, 2025
Submitted by: Paul Prappas
Region: Belize District, Belize
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Feb 21, 2025
Observation date: Mar 15, 2017
Submitted by: Christinalea
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Feb 06, 2025
Observation date: Sep 18, 2021
Submitted by: Mary Scott
Region: Pima County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Dec 06, 2024
Observation date: Nov 26, 2024
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Dec 06, 2024
Observation date: Dec 01, 2024
Submitted by: Sapper Dan
Region: Bell County, Texas, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Dec 02, 2024
Observation date: Jul 09, 2023
Submitted by: dvollmar
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 12, 2024
Observation date: Jul 20, 2024
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Jul 26, 2024
Observation date: Jun 18, 2024
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Jun 19, 2024
Observation date: Jun 02, 2024
Submitted by: Lani57
Region: Indian River County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 03, 2024
Observation date: May 27, 2024
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: May 27, 2024
Observation date: Apr 27, 2024
Submitted by: Sue Bocchicchio
Region: Cameron County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: May 18, 2024
Observation date: May 17, 2024
Submitted by: bluebird264
Region: Collier County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 17, 2024
Observation date: May 16, 2024
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: Texas, Nueces County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: May 17, 2024
Observation date: May 15, 2024
Submitted by: Diane R Halpin
Region: Marion County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 15, 2024
Observation date: May 09, 2024
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: Texas, Nueces County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: May 10, 2024
Observation date: May 03, 2024
Submitted by: Keysgirl
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 03, 2024
Observation date: Apr 29, 2024
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: Texas, Nueces County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: May 01, 2024
Observation date: Apr 29, 2024
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: Texas, Nueces County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: May 01, 2024
Observation date: Apr 27, 2024
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: Texas, Nueces County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Apr 29, 2024
Observation date: Apr 12, 2024
Submitted by: jthompson6112
Region: Sarasota County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 20, 2024
Observation date: Apr 19, 2024
Submitted by: supermandonlong
Region: Broward County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 19, 2024
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