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 342 verified sightings
Observation date: Sep 15, 2018
Submitted by: Doug DeNeve
Region: Hillsborough County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Oct 18, 2018
Observation date: Aug 07, 2017
Submitted by: Dennis Forsythe
Region: Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: Aug 19, 2018
Observation date: Jul 15, 2018
Submitted by: CJCole
Region: Seminole County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 20, 2018
Observation date: May 31, 2018
Submitted by: the janitors kid
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 22, 2018
Observation date: May 31, 2018
Submitted by: michele33603
Region: Hillsborough County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 22, 2018
Observation date: May 30, 2018
Submitted by: kye
Region: Highlands County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 22, 2018
Observation date: May 10, 2018
Submitted by: jollygoodyellow
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 22, 2018
Observation date: May 10, 2018
Submitted by: jollygoodyellow
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 22, 2018
Observation date: Jun 15, 2018
Submitted by: Christine Mooney
Region: Volusia County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 22, 2018
Observation date: Jun 16, 2018
Submitted by: mellielong
Region: Hillsborough County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 22, 2018
Observation date: Jun 22, 2018
Submitted by: AJVanh.arch
Region: Martin County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 22, 2018
Observation date: Nov 07, 2013
Submitted by: Tommie Rogers
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jun 07, 2018
Observation date: Jun 14, 2013
Submitted by: Tommie Rogers
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jun 06, 2018
Observation date: Apr 28, 2018
Submitted by: the janitors kid
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 22, 2018
Observation date: May 04, 2018
Submitted by: the janitors kid
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 22, 2018
Observation date: May 04, 2018
Submitted by: Judy the villages
Region: Lake County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 22, 2018
Observation date: May 10, 2018
Submitted by: Lunablue
Region: Volusia County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 22, 2018
Observation date: May 10, 2018
Submitted by: the janitors kid
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 22, 2018
Observation date: May 22, 2018
Submitted by: kye
Region: Highlands County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 22, 2018
Observation date: Apr 17, 2018
Submitted by: the janitors kid
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 26, 2018
Observation date: Mar 16, 2018
Submitted by: John Terpstra
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 12, 2018
Observation date: Mar 25, 2018
Submitted by: the janitors kid
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 12, 2018
Observation date: Mar 03, 2018
Submitted by: totonka
Region: Indian River County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 23, 2018
Observation date: Mar 18, 2018
Submitted by: the janitors kid
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 23, 2018
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