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Pieris rapae

Cabbage white

Pepe ma

Photo by Chris Paulin

First recorded in Napier in 1929. Most likely, it was transported in imported coolstore vegetables at the Port of Napier. The butterfly is considered to be a pest because humans enjoy the host plant, cruciferous vegetables (Brassicaceae) in most of its forms: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale and turnips. Cattle and sheep are also fed many species of Brassicaceae in the winter when pasture is growing slowly.

Through trade and migration humans have helped to inadvertently spread the butterfly beyond its natural range, and through the domestication and diversification of these crops humans have provided it with the food the caterpillars need to flourish.

For vegetable gardeners, some control techniques are in this leaflet put together by Rob Herd.

Family
Pieridae
Biostatus
Introduced
Host Plant
Brassicaceae
Egg
Creamy colour when laid, deepening to yellow before hatching. Tall with about 12 ridges. Singularly on host plants, usually undersides. 6-10.
Larva
Velvety green with a light striple along its back. 23-25 days.
Pupa
Green/yellow-brown. Attached by cremaster and girdle on host plant or nearby.
Adult or Imago
Males have one black spot on their forewing, females two. Both have a black wingtip. Swift and jerky flight. Flies on overcast days and in light rain.
Wingspan
38-43 mm in winter, 48-50 mm in summer.
Overwinters
Dormant
Range
Wide-ranging, especially market-gardens and urban areas.
Distribution

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