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 313 verified sightings
Observation date: Oct 01, 2016
Submitted by: Charles_Mills
Region: Little River County, Arkansas, United States
Verified by: CA Ivy
Verified date: Oct 20, 2017
Observation date: Mar 04, 2017
Submitted by: Bill Emch
Region: Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Oct 16, 2017
Observation date: Mar 09, 2017
Submitted by: Bill Emch
Region: Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Oct 12, 2017
Observation date: Mar 08, 2017
Submitted by: wayne13114
Region: Cuba
Verified by: wayne13114
Verified date: Oct 11, 2017
Observation date: Feb 05, 2016
Submitted by: Paul Prappas
Region: Cameron County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Oct 03, 2017
Observation date: Sep 02, 2017
Submitted by: Lois Stacey
Region: Georgetown County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Sep 04, 2017
Observation date: Jan 28, 2017
Submitted by: Kathy Brown
Region: Lee County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 19, 2017
Observation date: Aug 02, 2017
Submitted by: mellielong
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 10, 2017
Observation date: Aug 03, 2017
Submitted by: mellielong
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 10, 2017
Observation date: Aug 04, 2017
Submitted by: mellielong
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 10, 2017
Observation date: Aug 06, 2017
Submitted by: treichard
Region: Brazoria County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Aug 09, 2017
Observation date: Aug 03, 2017
Submitted by: Bill Wright_Texas
Region: Chambers County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Aug 04, 2017
Observation date: Jul 15, 2017
Submitted by: SherryPopham
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 21, 2017
Observation date: Jul 06, 2017
Submitted by: the janitors kid
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 06, 2017
Observation date: Jun 06, 2017
Submitted by: the janitors kid
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 26, 2017
Observation date: Jun 25, 2017
Submitted by: hunter58
Region: Hernando County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 26, 2017
Observation date: Jun 25, 2017
Submitted by: hunter58
Region: Hernando County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 26, 2017
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
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