Western White
Pontia occidentalis (Reakirt, 1866)
Family: Pieridae
Subfamily: Pierinae
Identification: Upperside of forewing has marginal markings that are lighter than the submarginal stripe. Below, forewing tip and hindwing have veins outlined with gray-green. Short-day spring and fall forms have more prominent markings.
Wing Span: 1 1/2 - 2 1/8 inches (3.8 - 5.3 cm).
Life History: Males patrol hilltops and ridges for receptive females. Females lay eggs singly on host plants. Caterpillars will feed on leaves but prefer buds, flowers, and fruits. Chrysalids hibernate.
Flight: One flight from June-July in far north; two flights from May-August in the south.
Caterpillar Hosts: Flowers and fruits of various members of the mustard (Brassicaceae) family.
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Mountain peaks, slopes, hilltops, railroad yards, open plains, roadsides.
Range: Alaska south to central California, northern Arizona and northern New Mexico; east to North Dakota and central Ontario.
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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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 589 verified sightings
Observation date: Aug 11, 2022
Submitted by: hiker96
Region: Pierce County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 14, 2022
Observation date: Jun 27, 2022
Submitted by: glennfine
Region: Siskiyou County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 26, 2022
Observation date: Jun 22, 2022
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Lassen County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 04, 2022
Observation date: Jul 25, 2021
Submitted by: jeh802
Region: Saskatchewan, Canada
Verified by: alchem30
Verified date: Jun 15, 2022
Observation date: May 06, 2022
Submitted by: HimmelBerries
Region: Saskatchewan, Canada
Verified by: alchem30
Verified date: Jun 15, 2022
Observation date: May 05, 2022
Submitted by: heinert
Region: Stark County, North Dakota, United States
Verified by: stevekohler
Verified date: May 31, 2022
Observation date: May 05, 2022
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: Alberta, Canada
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: May 06, 2022
Observation date: Apr 07, 2022
Submitted by: Luna-Linuche.76
Region: Klamath County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 09, 2022
Observation date: Jul 28, 2021
Submitted by: gasigr
Region: Lake County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Mar 03, 2022
Observation date: Jun 12, 2021
Submitted by: Christian.Nunes
Region: Huerfano County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Dec 05, 2021
Observation date: Jul 30, 2017
Submitted by: Mark Salvato
Region: Alpine County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Nov 13, 2021
Observation date: Sep 02, 2021
Submitted by: Jay Brasher
Region: Flathead County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Oct 21, 2021
Observation date: Jul 15, 2020
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Sep 11, 2021
Observation date: Jul 09, 2021
Submitted by: mongoose
Region: Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Sep 08, 2021
Observation date: Sep 21, 2020
Submitted by: heinert
Region: Burleigh County, North Dakota, United States
Verified by: stevekohler
Verified date: Sep 04, 2021
Observation date: Aug 21, 2021
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 24, 2021
Observation date: Aug 04, 2021
Submitted by: glennfine
Region: Trinity County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 08, 2021
Observation date: Jun 23, 2010
Submitted by: bshettler
Region: Manitoba, Canada
Verified by: chalicerae
Verified date: Jul 26, 2021
Observation date: Jun 24, 2010
Submitted by: bshettler
Region: Manitoba, Canada
Verified by: chalicerae
Verified date: Jul 26, 2021
Observation date: Jun 30, 2021
Submitted by: weflybye
Region: Mason County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 01, 2021
Observation date: Jun 04, 2021
Submitted by: stevecary
Region: Teton County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jun 17, 2021
Observation date: Jun 19, 2020
Submitted by: glennfine
Region: California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 06, 2021
Observation date: May 01, 2021
Submitted by: NikkiM
Region: Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jun 02, 2021
Observation date: Aug 08, 2019
Submitted by: heinert
Region: Logan County, North Dakota, United States
Verified by: stevekohler
Verified date: May 10, 2021
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