Species Insects & ArthropodsCabbage White

Cabbage White

Pieris rapae

CommonInsect & Arthropod
Illustration of Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)

The Cabbage White is the most abundant butterfly in North America, introduced from Europe in the 1860s and now found continent-wide. Small and white with black wing tips; the bane of cabbage gardeners.

Habitat
Gardens, farms, roadsides, and disturbed open areas
Diet
Larvae: cabbage, mustard, and related plants. Adults: nectar from many flowers
How common
Common

Best time to see a Cabbage White

The best time to see a Cabbage White is May–August, when about 64% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 96,741 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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