Small White
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{{Taxobox | color = pink | name = Small White | image = Small_White_Butterfly_Female.jpg | image_width = 250px | regnum = Animalia | phylum = Arthropoda | classis = Insecta | ordo = Lepidoptera | familia = Pieridae | tribus = Pierini | genus = Pieris | species = P. rapae | binomial = Pieris rapae | binomial_authority = Linnaeus, 1758 }}
The Small White Pieris rapaeis a butterfly of the Pieridae family.
Appearance, behaviour and distribution
It is widespread across Europe North Africa and Asia and has also been accidentally introduced to North America, Australia and New Zealand where they have become pests on cultivated cabbages. Like its close relative the Large White this is a strong flyer and the British population is increased by continental immigrants in most years. In appearance it looks like a smaller version of the Large White. The upperside is creamy white with black tips to the forwings. Females also have two black spots in the center of the forwings. Its underwings are yellowish with black speckles. It is generally more common than the Large White.
Lifecycle and foodplants
It has two flight periods, April-May and July-August. Its caterpillars can be a pest on cultivated cabbages, but it will readily lay eggs on wild members of the cabbage family such as Charlock Sinapis arvensis and Hedge Mustard Sisybrium officinale. The eggs are laid singularly on foodplant leaves and the caterpillars are green and well camouflaged. Unlike the Large White they dont store the mustard oils from their foodplants and so are not distastful to predators like birds. Like the Other 'White' Butterflies it hibernates as a Pupae Along with the Large White it is sometimes known as the Cabbage White or Cabbage Butterfly.
The scientific name Artogeia rapae has been applied to this species in the past and may still be found, but it is now generally accepted to be a member of the Pieris genus.
References
Jim Asher et al The MIllenium Atlas of Britain and Ireland Oxford University Press
Image:ChristianBauer Pieris rapae adult.jpg Image:Pieris rapae.jpg
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