Mustard White Pieris oleracea Harris, 1829

Family: Pieridae

Subfamily: Pierinae

Identification: Summer form is pure white above and below; spring form has black-tipped upper forewing. Underside of hindwing and apex of forewing have veins edged with yellow-green or gray-green.

Wing Span: 1 1/2 - 2 1/4 inches (3.8 - 5.7 cm).

Life History: Males patrol during the day for receptive females. Eggs are laid singly on underside of host plant leaves. Caterpillars feed on leaves. Chrysalis hibernates.

Flight: Two flights from April-September in mid-continent; one flight from June-July in the north.

Caterpillar Hosts: Various plants in the mustard (Brassicaceae) family.

Adult Food: Flower nectar from mustard family and other plants.

Habitat: Open forests and fields, deciduous woods, bogs, streamsides.

Range: East from the Dakotas and Canadian prairie provinces across the Great Lakes area to New England and Nova Scotia.

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

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