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 97 - 120 of 573 verified sightings
Observation date: Apr 23, 2022
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 24, 2022
Observation date: Apr 05, 2022
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 06, 2022
Observation date: Mar 17, 2022
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 22, 2022
Observation date: Mar 21, 2020
Submitted by: Joceb2005
Region: Collier County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 08, 2022
Observation date: Mar 18, 2021
Submitted by: Joceb2005
Region: Collier County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 08, 2022
Observation date: Mar 03, 2022
Submitted by: Brendavent
Region: Collier County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 08, 2022
Observation date: Mar 04, 2022
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 08, 2022
Observation date: Feb 22, 2022
Submitted by: Barjones78
Region: Aransas County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Feb 27, 2022
Observation date: Feb 19, 2022
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Feb 19, 2022
Observation date: Feb 09, 2022
Submitted by: regina rochefort
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Feb 17, 2022
Observation date: Feb 11, 2022
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Feb 15, 2022
Observation date: Jan 05, 2022
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jan 07, 2022
Observation date: Dec 16, 2021
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Dec 20, 2021
Observation date: Dec 19, 2021
Submitted by: datilson
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Dec 20, 2021
Observation date: Nov 30, 2021
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Dec 02, 2021
Observation date: Nov 16, 2021
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Nov 19, 2021
Observation date: Jul 22, 2017
Submitted by: Mark Salvato
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Nov 02, 2021
Observation date: Jul 07, 2018
Submitted by: Mark Salvato
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Oct 29, 2021
Observation date: Oct 23, 2021
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Oct 29, 2021
Observation date: Aug 20, 2021
Submitted by: azstar1
Region: Pinal County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Oct 16, 2021
Observation date: Aug 22, 2021
Submitted by: azstar1
Region: Pinal County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Oct 16, 2021
Observation date: Oct 02, 2021
Submitted by: Jonathan Batkin
Region: Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Oct 16, 2021
Observation date: Oct 03, 2021
Submitted by: Rmclaughlin
Region: Pima County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Oct 16, 2021
Observation date: Sep 24, 2021
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Oct 16, 2021
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