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Disclaimer: This material is being kept online for historical purposes. Content is no longer being updated and may contain broken links. |
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Disclaimer: This material is being kept online for historical purposes. Content is no longer being updated and may contain broken links. |
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Santa Barbara Field Guides - Butterflies Lepidoptera Pieridae Pieris rapae Cabbage white |
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Size:
wingspread 1.5-2 in. Recognition: Medium-sized; white with black FW tip; female has two black spots down mid-wing, while male only has one. Flight period: Adults are active all year in southern California, and from March to November (spring to fall) farther north. Hostplants: Larvae feed on many plants in the mustard family (Brassicaceae) such as cabbage, broccoli, mustards, winter cress, watercress, and peppergrass (it is considered a serious pest of some of these). Habitat: Found in various natural and suburban areas including fields, gardens, mountain edges, roadsides, and hills; not found in deserts. Distribution: Very common throughout the U.S. and Canada, this is probabaly the most widespread and visible butterfly in southern California. Just look around, they are everywhere! 
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