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.
Get your BAMONA Gear!
Please donate!
We depend on donations to keep Butterflies and Moths of North America freely available. We want to express our gratitude to all who showed their support by making a contribution this year. You can donate to support this project at any time.
Advertise with us!
Do you have a product or service that you think would interest BAMONA users? If you would like to advertise on this website, contact us by email, or use the contact form and select the "Advertising" category.
Verified Sightings
Displaying 97 - 120 of 546 verified sightings
Observation date: Aug 25, 2021
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 26, 2021
Observation date: Aug 04, 2021
Submitted by: Brendavent
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 05, 2021
Observation date: Jun 17, 2021
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 22, 2021
Observation date: Jun 21, 2021
Submitted by: AdmiralElk
Region: St. Johns County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 22, 2021
Observation date: May 12, 2021
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 20, 2021
Observation date: May 17, 2021
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 20, 2021
Observation date: May 04, 2021
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 06, 2021
Observation date: Apr 30, 2021
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 01, 2021
Observation date: Apr 15, 2021
Submitted by: pegreinhart
Region: Volusia County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 28, 2021
Observation date: Apr 19, 2021
Submitted by: Blackkt2
Region: Palm Beach County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 28, 2021
Observation date: Jun 01, 2013
Submitted by: DVL
Region: Lee County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 17, 2021
Observation date: Apr 15, 2021
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 17, 2021
Observation date: Apr 03, 2021
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 06, 2021
Observation date: Jan 25, 2014
Submitted by: DVL
Region: Lee County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 31, 2021
Observation date: Mar 23, 2021
Submitted by: GivemeButterflies
Region: Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 24, 2021
Observation date: Mar 18, 2021
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 21, 2021
Observation date: Mar 17, 2021
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 17, 2021
Observation date: Apr 04, 2008
Submitted by: BarbSendelbach
Region: Cameron County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Mar 16, 2021
Observation date: Mar 25, 2017
Submitted by: Sophia Kurtz
Region: Collier County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 12, 2021
Observation date: Mar 10, 2021
Submitted by: storolaf
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 12, 2021
Observation date: Feb 26, 2021
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Feb 28, 2021
Observation date: Feb 16, 2021
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Feb 16, 2021
Observation date: Jan 25, 2021
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jan 29, 2021
Observation date: Jan 18, 2021
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jan 19, 2021
- ‹ previous
- 5 of 23
- next ›