Mustard White - Hodges#4195.1
Pieris oleracea
This record describes Pieris oleracea (species). Recorded family: Pieridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
However, distinction from P. angelica & P. marginalis is based primarily on geography. P. angelica is a more northwestern species and P. marginalis occurs in the West. This species, along with the Margined and Arctic Whites, were formerly considered conspecific with the Palearctic P. napi . They are now treated as distinct, with three or four species occurring in North America. The name P. angelika for the Arctic White may change if another name is found to have priority. (Layberry et al.)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Pieridae (Whites, Sulphurs, Yellows)
- Subfamily
- Pierinae
- Tribe
- Pierini
- Genus
- Pieris
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Mostly in forests (Layberry et al.)
Geographic Range
From treeline in the Northwest Territories south to Alberta, and east across the rest of Canada. Occurs in the northern tier of US states from North Dakota east to Maine. (Layberry et al., USGS)
Seasonal Activity
Has one to four generations a year, with flight times from April to September in the south. (Layberry et al.)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Caterpillars feed on several species in the Brassicaceae. (Layberry et al.)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Pieris oleracea. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Mustard White - Hodges#4195.1 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Joel Kits; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Beatriz Moisset , David Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Mustard White - Hodges#4195.1
What is Mustard White - Hodges#4195.1?
Mustard White - Hodges#4195.1 (Pieris oleracea) is a species in the family Pieridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Mustard White - Hodges#4195.1?
Wingspan 23-50 mm (Layberry et al.)
How do you identify Mustard White - Hodges#4195.1?
However, distinction from P. angelica & P. marginalis is based primarily on geography. P. angelica is a more northwestern species and P. marginalis occurs in the West.
Where is Mustard White - Hodges#4195.1 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Mostly in forests (Layberry et al.) |
| Range | From treeline in the Northwest Territories south to Alberta, and east across the rest of Canada. Occurs in the northern tier of US states from North Dakota east to Maine. (Layberry et al., USGS) |
What does Mustard White - Hodges#4195.1 eat?
The diet of the Mustard White - Hodges#4195.1 includes Caterpillars feed on several species in the Brassicaceae. (Layberry et al.).
When is Mustard White - Hodges#4195.1 active?
Mustard White - Hodges#4195.1: seasonal activity - Has one to four generations a year, with flight times from April to September in the south. (Layberry et al.).