Pieris

Garden Whites, Whites

Species Guides

Pieris angelika(Arctic White)
Pieris marginalis(margined white)
Pieris oleracea(Mustard White)
Pieris rapae(small white)
Pieris virginiensis(West Virginia White)

Pieris is a widespread, nearly of butterflies in the Pieridae, commonly known as the garden whites. The genus exhibits highest in the Palearctic region. Many are economically significant as agricultural pests, with larvae feeding on Brassicaceae crops including cabbage, broccoli, and kale. The genus has been extensively studied for its biochemical adaptations to glucosinolate-containing plants.

Pieris by (c) Jon Sullivan, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Pieris by (c) Thomas Bresson, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Pieris oleracea by (c) Steven Joyner, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steven Joyner. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Pieris: /ˈpi.e.rɪs/

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

Images

Distribution

Widespread and nearly ; highest in the Palearctic region.

Human Relevance

Larvae of many Pieris are significant agricultural pests of cole crops (Brassicaceae), including cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and kale. The species Pieris rapae is known as the "imported cabbageworm" in its larval stage. Research on Pieris has contributed substantially to understanding insect-plant chemical , with over 100 years of study on biochemical adaptations to plant chemistry.

More Details

Biochemical research significance

Pieris have been model organisms for studying biochemical adaptations to plant secondary metabolites, particularly glucosinolates in Brassicaceae, for over 100 years.