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 296 verified sightings
Observation date: Apr 27, 2017
Submitted by: Jeff Trahan
Region: Cameron Parish, Louisiana, United States
Verified by: Jeff Trahan
Verified date: May 04, 2017
Observation date: Apr 25, 2017
Submitted by: bc70124
Region: Orleans Parish, Louisiana, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Apr 26, 2017
Observation date: Apr 16, 2017
Submitted by: hunter58
Region: Hernando County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 18, 2017
Observation date: Mar 01, 2017
Submitted by: the janitors kid
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 09, 2017
Observation date: Feb 01, 2017
Submitted by: the janitors kid
Region: Indian River County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Feb 02, 2017
Observation date: Jan 28, 2017
Submitted by: AJVanh.arch
Region: Martin County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jan 28, 2017
Observation date: Jan 21, 2017
Submitted by: mellielong
Region: Pasco County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jan 27, 2017
Observation date: Jan 01, 2017
Submitted by: the janitors kid
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jan 08, 2017
Observation date: Dec 29, 2016
Submitted by: gpstewart
Region: Calhoun County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jan 06, 2017
Observation date: Mar 28, 2016
Submitted by: J_Martineau
Region: Lee County, Florida, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jan 05, 2017
Observation date: Dec 22, 2016
Submitted by: the janitors kid
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Dec 23, 2016
Observation date: Dec 11, 2016
Submitted by: the janitors kid
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Dec 20, 2016
Observation date: Nov 27, 2016
Submitted by: totonka
Region: Palm Beach County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Dec 08, 2016
Observation date: Oct 07, 2016
Submitted by: chemglenn
Region: Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States
Verified by: rickypatterson
Verified date: Oct 25, 2016
Observation date: Oct 17, 2016
Submitted by: TCollins
Region: Texas, Kerr County, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Oct 24, 2016
Observation date: Oct 02, 2016
Submitted by: Martin and Sara
Region: Chambers County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Oct 02, 2016
Observation date: Oct 02, 2016
Submitted by: greekwriter
Region: Texas, Nueces County, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Oct 02, 2016
Observation date: Jul 27, 2016
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Glynn County, Georgia, United States
Verified by: mikelchap
Verified date: Sep 13, 2016
Observation date: Jul 06, 2016
Submitted by: Englishman
Region: Hernando County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 15, 2016
Observation date: Apr 17, 2016
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Glynn County, Georgia, United States
Verified by: mikelchap
Verified date: Jun 11, 2016
Observation date: May 21, 2016
Submitted by: sunfire50
Region: Volusia County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 10, 2016
Observation date: May 15, 2016
Submitted by: John LeBlanc
Region: Pasco County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 31, 2016
Observation date: May 06, 2016
Submitted by: mellielong
Region: Hillsborough County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 07, 2016
Observation date: Apr 24, 2016
Submitted by: jjflossem
Region: Hernando County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 27, 2016
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