# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Gardens and fields - **Also known as:** Cabbage Butterfly ![Large White](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426324/objects/5546.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Pieridae - **Genus:** Pieris ## 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 - **Migration Master:** Adults can fly hundreds of miles to find new food and warmer places, expanding their territory. - **Keen Sight:** Large Whites possess complex compound eyes, helping them quickly spot vibrant flowers for nectar and potential mates. - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Feeds on caterpillars and pupae. - **Pollinates:** [Butterfly Bush](https://www.snappit.app/explore/butterfly-bush) (*Buddleja davidii*) — Adults feed on its nectar, helping pollination. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## 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 ## Where to spot - [Fota Wildlife Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fota-wildlife-park) — Municipal District of Cobh, IE · Zoo - [Zoologická zahrada Děčín - Pastýřská stěna](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoologick-zahrada-d-n-past-sk-st-na) — Ústí nad Labem Region, CZ · Zoo - [Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/parque-de-la-naturaleza-de-cab-rceno) — Spain, ES · Zoo - [Selwo Aventura](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/selwo-aventura) — Andalusia, ES · Zoo - [Volkspark Marienberg (Nürnberg)](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/volkspark-marienberg-nurnberg) — Bayern, DE · Park [View all places to see Large White](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/large-white) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Large White: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/large-white)