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.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 193 - 216 of 689 verified sightings
Observation date: Sep 21, 2013
Submitted by: Frederike Hofstra
Region: Grand County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jun 22, 2014
Observation date: Sep 28, 2013
Submitted by: Geoff Urwin
Region: Saskatchewan, Canada
Verified by: Norbert Kondla
Verified date: Jun 03, 2014
Observation date: Aug 07, 2011
Submitted by: sandyleapt
Region: Hood River County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 09, 2013
Observation date: Jun 29, 2013
Submitted by: wsensei
Region: Harney County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 09, 2013
Observation date: Sep 25, 2013
Submitted by: sagebird52
Region: Albany County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Sep 30, 2013
Observation date: Aug 07, 2013
Submitted by: randimal
Region: Pierce County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 10, 2013
Observation date: Mar 29, 2013
Submitted by: plex1ppus
Region: Lincoln County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Apr 01, 2013
Observation date: Jul 25, 1988
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (George T. Austin)
Region: Lincoln County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Jul 11, 1982
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (K Hansen-S. Mattoon)
Region: Elko County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Jul 26, 1988
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (George T. Austin)
Region: Lincoln County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Jun 03, 1985
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Floyd & June Preston)
Region: Lander County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Aug 11, 2012
Submitted by: plex1ppus
Region: Okanogan County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Sep 22, 2012
Observation date: Sep 01, 2012
Submitted by: PDunwiddie
Region: Pierce County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Sep 03, 2012
Observation date: Jul 22, 2012
Submitted by: MamaMac
Region: Alberta, Canada
Verified by: Norbert Kondla
Verified date: Aug 26, 2012
Observation date: Jul 14, 2012
Submitted by: PDunwiddie
Region: Kittitas County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 17, 2012
Observation date: Jul 01, 2012
Submitted by: PDunwiddie
Region: Kittitas County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 02, 2012
Observation date: Jun 26, 2012
Submitted by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Region: Mono County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: Jul 09, 1976
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Kilian Roever; J & S Werner)
Region: Coconino County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: Jul 01, 1977
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Ron Wielgus)
Region: Coconino County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: Aug 14, 2011
Submitted by: J_Martineau
Region: Johnson County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Dec 02, 2011
Observation date: Aug 11, 2011
Submitted by: Tommie Rogers
Region: Davis County, Utah, United States
Verified by: Ranger Steve Mueller
Verified date: Oct 17, 2011
Observation date: Aug 11, 2011
Submitted by: Tommie Rogers
Region: Davis County, Utah, United States
Verified by: Ranger Steve Mueller
Verified date: Oct 17, 2011
Observation date: Aug 06, 2011
Submitted by: dspicer
Region: Elko County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Sep 11, 2011
Observation date: Sep 05, 2011
Submitted by: Jdammarell
Region: Lincoln County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Sep 06, 2011
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