Regional Species


Large White
Pieris brassicae

Photograph by Janet Graham

Regional Species

The familiar 'Cabbage White' is well known to all vegetable growers and indeed is dependent on humans for most breeding sites. For this reason the butterfly is commonest in the more densely populated lowlands although this is a powerful flyer and can turn up anywhere. Numbers are boosted by migration.

Distinguishing the Large White from the Small White - also coloquially referred to as 'Cabbage White' - presents a challenge to even the experienced lepidopterist. There is no easy way to do this and only if the butterfly settles or is netted can one be confident as to which species is involved.

Further information available from the NW Lepidoptera Database, including access to detailed records, maps, flight-time charts and photographs.