Euchloe hyantis

(Edwards, 1871)

pearly marble, pearly marblewing, California marble

Species Guides

2

A small Pieridae of western North America with distinctive marbled underwings. fly in spring and early summer, with one annually. Males exhibit along ridgelines. The has been documented feeding on Brassicaceae flowers and fruits, particularly Streptanthus species. Chrysalids overwinter.

Euchloe hyantis by (c) John Hibbard, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by John Hibbard. Used under a CC-BY license.Euchloe hyantis by (c) John Hibbard, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by John Hibbard. Used under a CC-BY license.Euchloe hyantis by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Euchloe hyantis: //juːkˈloʊ.i haɪˈæn.tɪs//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

The wingspan measures 28–37 mm. The underside of the hindwing displays a reticulated 'marble' pattern that provides camouflage when perched. The bright white forewing is typically folded beneath the hindwing at rest, rendering the insect nearly invisible against suitable backgrounds. Males are fast, erratic fliers that rarely pause except briefly at flowers. Distinguished from the similar Large Marble (Euchloe ausonides) and Spring White (Pontia sisymbrii) by range, , and underwing pattern details.

Images

Habitat

Rocky canyons, cliffs, moraines, and gravelly flats.

Distribution

West Coast of North America from southern Oregon south through California west of the Sierra Nevada crest to northern Baja California, Mexico.

Seasonality

on wing from April to early July. One per year.

Diet

Larvae feed on flowers and fruits of Brassicaceae , especially Streptanthus species. visit flowers briefly; males have been observed rather than nectaring extensively.

Host Associations

  • Streptanthus tortuosus - larval females show no oviposition preference between water-stressed and unstressed plants
  • Streptanthus species - larval especially favored plants

Life Cycle

Chrysalids hibernate. One annually.

Behavior

Males engage in , flying swiftly along ridgelines to intercept passing females. When perched, individuals orient themselves to maximize camouflage, folding the bright white forewing beneath the marbled hindwing to blend with the substrate.

Similar Taxa

  • Euchloe ausonides (Large Marble)Similar size and marbled underwings; distinguished by distribution (E. ausonides ranges from Alaska to central California and interior West), and E. hyantis males are described as faster and more erratic with less flower-visiting
  • Pontia sisymbrii (Spring White)Similar white appearance in ; distinguished by underwing pattern and perching

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Sources and further reading