Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Giant White
Ganyra josephina (Godart, 1819)
Family: Pieridae
Subfamily: Pierinae
Identification: Large. Cell of upper forewing of male contains prominent round black spot. Wet-season female has black cell spot and also diffuse black postmedian spots. Veins outlined with black near wing margins. Dry-season female not so prominently marked.
Wing Span: 2 7/8 - 3 3/4 inches (7.3 - 9.6 cm).
Life History: Female lays single eggs on older host plant leaves, which the caterpillars then eat.
Flight: From September-December in south Texas.
Caterpillar Hosts: Trees in the caper (Capparidaceae) family.
Adult Food: Flower nectar including lantana, eupatorium, and bougainvilla.
Habitat: Open, dry, subtropical forests.
Range: South from south Texas through Mexico and Central America. A rare stray to Kansas and New Mexico.
Conservation: Not required for periodic stray.
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 25 - 48 of 50 verified sightings
Observation date: Jun 17, 2014
Submitted by: LLJohnson
Region: Dominican Republic
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: Aug 01, 2014
  Details
Observation date: May 06, 2014
Submitted by: LLJohnson
Region: Dominican Republic
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: May 08, 2014
  Details
Observation date: Sep 02, 2008
Submitted by: plex1ppus
Region: Yucatan, Mexico
Verified by: John van Dort
Verified date: May 03, 2013
  Details
Observation date: Feb 14, 2013
Submitted by: Doug Taron
Region: Jalisco, Mexico
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: Feb 19, 2013
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: BAMONA
Region:
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Sep 06, 2010
  Details
Observation date: Oct 17, 2007
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Diane and Hugh Wedgeworth)
Region: Texas, Kenedy County, United States
Verified by: nick.grishin (Nick Grishin)
Verified date: Jan 08, 2008
  Details
Observation date: Oct 14, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Mike Overton, Paul Opler)
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Mike Overton)
Verified date: Oct 01, 2007
  Details
Observation date: Oct 15, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Mike Overton, Paul Opler)
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Mike Overton)
Verified date: Oct 01, 2007
  Details
Observation date: May 01, 2004
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (North American Butterfly Association (NABA) of South Texas))
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (North American Butterfly Association (NABA) of South Texas))
Verified date: Jan 29, 2007
  Details
Observation date: Nov 02, 2004
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (North American Butterfly Association (NABA) of South Texas))
Region: Texas, Zapata County, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (North American Butterfly Association (NABA) of South Texas))
Verified date: Jan 29, 2007
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Bexar County, Texas, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Cameron County, Texas, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Texas, San Patricio County, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Sonora, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Texas, Starr County, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Scott County, Kansas, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Texas, Live Oak County, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Durango, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Aransas County, Texas, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Sinaloa, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Bee County, Texas, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Harris County, Texas, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details