National Moth Week is July 18-26!
Moths are amazing creatures. Take photographs and share your moth sightings with us to document the moths where you live.
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 217 - 240 of 691 verified sightings
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
Observation date: Aug 21, 2011
Submitted by: chuckcmt
Region: Valley County, Montana, United States
Verified by: stevekohler
Verified date: Aug 31, 2011
Observation date: Jul 28, 2011
Submitted by: cpcdolan
Region: Rio Grande County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Aug 06, 2011
Observation date: Jul 13, 2011
Submitted by: cpcdolan
Region: Mineral County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jul 23, 2011
Observation date: Jul 21, 1973
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Jim Brock)
Region: Alpine County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: May 01, 2011
Observation date: Aug 07, 2010
Submitted by: plex1ppus
Region: Missoula County, Montana, United States
Verified by: stevekohler
Verified date: Apr 08, 2011
Observation date: Jul 25, 2009
Submitted by: plex1ppus (plex1ppus)
Region: Pend Oreille County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Apr 08, 2011
Observation date: Jul 16, 1973
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Don Eff)
Region: Elko County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2011
Observation date: Jul 20, 2010
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Paul Opler and EviBuckner-Opler )
Region: Teton County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: paulopler (Paul Opler)
Verified date: Dec 31, 2010
Observation date: Aug 24, 2010
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Phil Grover)
Region: Lassen County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 31, 2010
Observation date: Jul 18, 2010
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Paul Opler and EviBuckner-Opler )
Region: Fremont County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: paulopler (Paul Opler)
Verified date: Dec 31, 2010
Observation date: Sep 26, 2010
Submitted by: paulopler (Paul Opler)
Region: Teton County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: paulopler (Paul Opler)
Verified date: Dec 31, 2010
Observation date: Aug 24, 2010
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Phil Grover)
Region: Lassen County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 31, 2010
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: BAMONA
Region:
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Sep 06, 2010
Observation date: Jul 03, 1989
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Richard Kelson)
Region: Trinity County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Aug 02, 2010
Observation date: Jul 06, 1989
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Richard Kelson)
Region: Trinity County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Aug 02, 2010
Observation date: Jul 06, 1989
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Richard Kelson)
Region: Tehama County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Aug 02, 2010
Observation date: Jul 03, 1989
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Richard Kelson)
Region: Tehama County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Aug 02, 2010
Observation date: Apr 13, 1987
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (A. M. Shapiro)
Region: Nevada County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Apr 02, 2010
Observation date: Mar 23, 1984
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (A. M. Shapiro)
Region: Sierra County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Apr 02, 2010
Observation date: Jul 24, 1987
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (K. Bagdonas)
Region: Hot Springs County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (P.A. Opler)
Verified date: Mar 09, 2010
Observation date: Jun 23, 1985
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Laurence Crabtree)
Region: Tehama County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 25, 2010
Observation date: Jun 25, 1987
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Laurence Crabtree)
Region: Lassen County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 25, 2010
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