Great Southern White
Ascia monuste (Linnaeus, 1764)
Family: Pieridae
Subfamily: Pierinae
Identification: Upper surface of male forewing white with black zigzag pattern on outer margin. Dry season female form resembles male with heavier black zigzag pattern and a small black spot in the wing cell. Wet-season female is darkened with black scales above and below.
Wing Span: 2 1/2 - 3 3/8 inches (6.3 - 8.6 cm).
Life History: Males patrol for females. Eggs are laid on the upper surface of host plant leaves in groups of about 20.
Flight: All year in South Texas, peninsular Florida, and along the Gulf Coast.
Caterpillar Hosts: Mustard family (Brassicaceae) plants including beach cabbage (Cakile maritima), cultivated cabbage and radish, peppergrass (Lepidium species); and plants in the caper family (Capparidaceae) including nasturtium.
Adult Food: Nectar from many species of flowers including saltwort, lantana, and verbena.
Habitat: Salt marshes, coastal dunes, open fields, and gardens.
Range: Resident of south Atlantic and Gulf coasts south through tropical America. Migratory along the Southeastern coast. Strays to Maryland, Kansas, and Colorado.
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 453 verified sightings
Observation date: Jul 06, 2019
Submitted by: Mark Salvato
Region: Indian River County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Sep 29, 2021
Observation date: Sep 06, 2021
Submitted by: cjgoin
Region: New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Sep 10, 2021
Observation date: Sep 04, 2021
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Sep 09, 2021
Observation date: Aug 25, 2021
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 26, 2021
Observation date: Aug 04, 2021
Submitted by: Brendavent
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 05, 2021
Observation date: Jun 17, 2021
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 22, 2021
Observation date: Jun 21, 2021
Submitted by: AdmiralElk
Region: St. Johns County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 22, 2021
Observation date: May 12, 2021
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 20, 2021
Observation date: May 17, 2021
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 20, 2021
Observation date: May 04, 2021
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 06, 2021
Observation date: Apr 30, 2021
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 01, 2021
Observation date: Apr 15, 2021
Submitted by: pegreinhart
Region: Volusia County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 28, 2021
Observation date: Apr 19, 2021
Submitted by: Blackkt2
Region: Palm Beach County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 28, 2021
Observation date: Jun 01, 2013
Submitted by: DVL
Region: Lee County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 17, 2021
Observation date: Apr 15, 2021
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 17, 2021
Observation date: Apr 03, 2021
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 06, 2021
Observation date: Jan 25, 2014
Submitted by: DVL
Region: Lee County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 31, 2021
Observation date: Mar 23, 2021
Submitted by: GivemeButterflies
Region: Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 24, 2021
Observation date: Mar 18, 2021
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 21, 2021
Observation date: Mar 17, 2021
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 17, 2021
Observation date: Apr 04, 2008
Submitted by: BarbSendelbach
Region: Cameron County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Mar 16, 2021
Observation date: Mar 25, 2017
Submitted by: Sophia Kurtz
Region: Collier County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 12, 2021
Observation date: Mar 10, 2021
Submitted by: storolaf
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 12, 2021
Observation date: Feb 26, 2021
Submitted by: Bill Uttenweiler
Region: Brevard County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Feb 28, 2021
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