Cabbage Butterfly – Pieris rapae

Cabbage Butterfly- Pieris rapae Common Name: Cabbage Butterfly Latin Name: Pieris rapae Appearance: The Cabbage Butterfly is a white butterfly with one or two black spots on the forewing and one or two on the hindwing. The wingspan is 1.5 to 2.5 inches (4 to 6 cm). Egg: The eggs of the Cabbage Butterfly are small, pale yellow, and shaped like an oval. Pupa: The pupa of the Cabbage Butterfly is green or brown and is found on the undersides of leaves or in the soil. Larva: The larvae of the Cabbage Butterfly are green with a velvety texture and have a yellow stripe down their backs and two rows of faint yellow spots along their sides. They feed on the leaves of host plants, including cabbage, broccoli, and other cruciferous vegetables. Adults: The adult Cabbage Butterfly is a white butterfly with one or two black spots on the forewing and one or two on the hindwing. The wingspan is 1.5 to 2.5 inches (4 to 6 cm). Host plant: The Cabbage Butterfly caterpillars feed on the leaves of host plants, including cabbage, broccoli, and other cruciferous vegetables. Territory: The Cabbage Butterfly is found throughout North America. Damages caused by Cabbage Butterfly: The Cabbage Butterfly can cause significant damage to host plants, as the caterpillars feed on the leaves and can defoliate entire plants if left unchecked. Life history and Habits: The Cabbage Butterfly is a common pest of cruciferous vegetables, and the females lay their eggs on the undersides of the leaves of host plants. The larvae emerge and begin feeding on the leaves, growing rapidly and molting several times before pupating in a cocoon on the undersides of leaves or in the soil. The adult butterflies emerge and mate, and the females lay eggs on new host plants, completing several generations per year depending on the climate. The Cabbage Butterfly can be controlled with insecticides, biological controls, or by using row covers to exclude the butterflies from the plants