Habitat
Adults: terrestrial
Immatures: terrestrial

Feeding Habits
Adults: nectar and pollen feeding
Immatures: phytophagous

North American
Species: 65

Lepidoptera Pieridae
Whites, sulphurs, and orange tips

Special Characteristics: These are medium to small sized butterflies usually white, yellowish or orange, often with black wing margins. The Pieridae have strong front legs that are used for walking and the tarsal claws are forked. The larvae are cylindrical and covered with short hairs.

Comments: The adults are common in open sunny places and visit flowers. The larvae feed on many species of plants. These are very common butterflies that are sometimes seen flying in large groups.

Species:
Artogeia rapae (Linnaeus)

Common Name:
Cabbage butterfly

Feeding Habits: The larvae feed on cultivated and wild cabbage and related plants.

Distribution:
Widespread in Canada from coast to coast.

Comments:
The larvae are yellowish green with yellow stripes on the side and back. The larvae do serious damage to cabbage and related crops. This is one of the most common species in the family Pieridae. It has a wingspan of 32 to 47 mm, and the upper surface of the wings are clear white with black tips. It is found in all habitats including bogs, meadows, woods and backyard gardens. This species was first introduced to North America into Quebec in the 1860's.

Species:
Colias philodice Godart

Common Name:
Clouded sulphur

Feeding Habits: Feed on a variety of plants, particularly clover and alfalfa.

Distribution:
Widespread in Canada

Comments:
This is an abundant species, and its range in Canada has increased greatly as the result of an increase in crop production for livestock feed