Large White
ExploreInsects
Large White
Pieris brassicae
The Large White butterfly is a big, beautiful butterfly with white wings and black spots. It flits around gardens and parks, looking for tasty flowers.
Habitat: Gardens and fields
Appearance
The Large White has chalky white wings with distinctive black tips on the forewings. Females also display two prominent black spots on their forewings, which males often lack or have only faintly, helping distinguish sexes.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyPieridaeGenusPieris
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
4
Interesting facts
Did you know the Large White caterpillar is sometimes called a "cabbage worm" for its favourite snack?
Female Large Whites can lay up to 600 eggs in batches, usually on the underside of leaves!
Their bright colours might be a warning sign to predators: "I taste bad, so don't eat me!"
These common garden visitors undergo a spectacular transformation from tiny egg to flying butterfly!
Special abilities
Ability
Migration Master
Adults can fly hundreds of miles to find new food and warmer places, expanding their territory.
Ability
Keen Sight
Large Whites possess complex compound eyes, helping them quickly spot vibrant flowers for nectar and potential mates.
Ability
Leaf Muncher
Their strong mandibles allow caterpillars to efficiently chew through tough plant leaves, growing quickly.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 50-65 mm
- Size
- 20-25 mm
- Lifespan
- 10-20 days
- Flight Speed
- 18 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Caterpillars munch on leaves, while adult butterflies flutter about sipping sweet flower nectar.
Age differences: Caterpillars feed on plant leaves; adults drink nectar from flowers.
Primary Foods
- Brassica oleracea (Cabbage)
- Tropaeolum majus (Nasturtium)
- Sinapis arvensis (Charlock)
- Flower Nectar (general)
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
Depends on
Cabbage
Brassica oleracea
As a primary food source for larvae.
Parasitizes
Parasitic Wasp
Apanteles glomeratus
Lays eggs inside Large White caterpillars.
Eaten by
Great Tit
Parus major
Feeds on caterpillars and pupae.
Pollinates
Butterfly Bush
Buddleja davidii
Adults feed on its nectar, helping pollination.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
Cabbage Butterfly
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Large White?
Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.
What is Large White's wingspan?
50-65 mm
How big is Large White?
20-25 mm
How long does Large White live?
10-20 days
How fast can Large White fly?
18 km/h
What does Large White eat?
Caterpillars munch on leaves, while adult butterflies flutter about sipping sweet flower nectar.
Where is Large White usually found?
Gardens and fields
How does Large White hunt?
Foraging
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