Large White
FamilyPieridae
Scientific NamePieris brassicae
RangeEurope, Asia, North Africa
HabitatGardens, farmland
About the Large White
A familiar white butterfly whose caterpillars are a pest of cabbages and other brassicas. The caterpillars store mustard oils from their food plants, making them distasteful to birds, and they feed openly in groups. Many are killed by the parasitic wasp Cotesia glomerata. Strong migrations add to local numbers in summer. Often confused with the smaller Cabbage White.
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