Pieris rapae (Linnaeus, 1758) commonly known as “Small cabbage white”
Family: Pieridae
Wingspan: 38 to 57mm
A Widespread species second only to “The Painted Lady”. This species is found throughout Europe including the Northern Countries and up to Iceland. All the Mediterranean Islands, the Azores, Canary Islands, North Africa, across Asia and as far East as Japan and into most of the Eastern side of the United States. Also, it was introduced into Australia, New Zealand and Bermuda just to mention a few.
Females are more heavily marked than males by having two distinctive spots on the upperside of their forewings, males having only one spot. This being a marking the “Large White” male lacks which helps to distinguish the two species. Adult butterflies from the second brood have darker markings than the first brood.
The male will seek out a female by zig-zagging flight movements in front of her, until she settles; the male uses his legs to clasp her forewings while spreading his wings. This causes her to lean over which enables him to fly a short distance with her dangling beneath him while mating. Some females may reject the male by flying vertically or spreading her wings, then she will raise her abdomen to reject the male.
Habitat: Found in almost all habitats, boosted in numbers as it is a powerful migratory species particularly favouring gardens; allotments and farmland. The caterpillars as well as the “Large White” caterpillars are a serious pest to the vegetable grower, as the female butterflies lay their pale-yellow bottled shape eggs on cultivated brassicas, Nasturtium and also on wild Crucifers in April. The eggs are laid singly on the underside of the host plant’s leaf. After some long warm summers, a small third brood of home bred adults will emerge. The larvae are voracious feeders and after eating its own eggshell will then continue to feed on the host plant. If a cabbage, the larvae will bore into the heart of the cabbage at an alarming rate
The adult butterflies seem to prefer the nectar from white coloured flowers and lavender.
Flight Season: April to early October, very abundant in the late summer months.