Pieridae
Guides
Neophasia menapia
pine white
Neophasia menapia, commonly known as the pine white, is a butterfly species in the family Pieridae found in western North America. The species is characterized by white wings with black venation and wing bars, superficially resembling the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus). Research indicates N. menapia is palatable to avian predators, supporting its classification as a likely Batesian mimic rather than a Müllerian co-mimic. The species is univoltine, with one summer brood, and is associated with coniferous forest habitats.
Phoebis
sulphurs, sulfurs
Phoebis, commonly known as sulphurs, is a genus of butterflies in the family Pieridae, subfamily Coliadinae. The genus is native to the Americas, with species distributed from the southern United States through Central and South America. Members are characterized by bright yellow, orange, or white coloration. Several species are known for seasonal migration patterns, particularly northward movements in spring and southward returns in fall. The genus includes economically and ecologically significant species such as the cloudless sulphur (Phoebis sennae), which has been extensively studied for its life history and host plant associations.
Phoebis agarithe
Large Orange Sulphur, Orange Giant Sulphur
A medium to large sulphur butterfly of the family Pieridae, ranging from Peru through Central America and the Caribbean to the southern United States. Adults display bright orange upperwings with variable dark marginal markings. The species exhibits strong flight and is frequently observed visiting flowers in open, disturbed habitats. It has been introduced to Hawaii and occasionally strays northward well beyond its core range.
Phoebis philea
Orange-barred Sulphur
Phoebis philea, the orange-barred sulphur, is a medium-sized butterfly in the family Pieridae found throughout the Americas from the southern United States to Brazil, including the Caribbean. Adults are known for their bright yellow-orange coloration with distinctive orange bars on the forewings. The species exhibits seasonal variation in generation number, with multiple broods in southern regions and a single generation in northern parts of its range. Larvae feed on Cassia species, while adults visit nectar sources, particularly red-colored flowers.
Phoebis sennae
Cloudless Sulphur, Cloudless Giant Sulphur
Phoebis sennae is a mid-sized butterfly in the family Pieridae, widespread across the Americas from South America to southern Canada. Adults are known for their strong, fast flight and seasonal northward migration. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in coloration and has a well-documented life cycle with specific host plant associations in the legume family.
Pieris
Garden Whites, Whites
Pieris is a widespread, nearly cosmopolitan genus of butterflies in the family Pieridae, commonly known as the garden whites. The genus exhibits highest species diversity in the Palearctic region. Many species 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 host plants.
Pieris angelika
Arctic White
Pieris angelika, commonly known as the Arctic White, is a cold-adapted butterfly in the family Pieridae. It occurs in subarctic and boreal regions of northwestern North America. The species was described by Eitschberger in 1984, though its taxonomic status may be subject to revision due to potential earlier descriptions. It is one of the few Pieris species specialized for high-latitude environments.
Pontia beckerii
Becker's white, Great Basin white, sagebrush white
Pontia beckerii is a butterfly in the family Pieridae, commonly known as Becker's white, Great Basin white, or sagebrush white. It ranges across western North America from Baja California, Mexico to southern British Columbia, Canada. The species is closely related to other checkered whites in the genus Pontia and shares their general ecology, with larvae feeding on various mustard family plants.
Pontia occidentalis
Western White
Pontia occidentalis, commonly known as the western white, is a butterfly in the family Pieridae native to western North America. Adults have a wingspan of 38–53 mm and exhibit distinctive wing markings including lighter marginal forewing markings and gray-green veining on the underside. The species shows reduced flight activity in forest habitat compared to alpine meadow habitat. Larval host plants are members of Brassicaceae, with caterpillars feeding primarily on flowers, buds, and fruit.
Pontia protodice
Checkered White, Southern Cabbage Butterfly
Pontia protodice, commonly known as the Checkered White or Southern Cabbage Butterfly, is a North American pierid butterfly widespread in the southern United States and northern Mexico. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in wing patterning, with females displaying more extensive black and gray markings than males. Adults are highly vagile and have been documented making significant seasonal incursions northward beyond their core range. The green larva, known as the Southern Cabbageworm, feeds on a diverse array of Brassicaceous host plants.
Pontia sisymbrii
Spring White, California White, Colorado White
Pontia sisymbrii, commonly known as the Spring White, is a small butterfly in the family Pieridae. It is one of the earliest butterflies to appear in spring in western North America, often emerging before the vernal equinox. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with males typically white and females sometimes yellowish. It is closely associated with mustard family host plants and has a single generation annually at higher elevations, with two generations at lower elevations.
Pyrisitia
little yellows
Pyrisitia is a genus of small yellow butterflies in the family Pieridae, commonly known as "little yellows." The genus was established by Butler in 1870 and is sometimes treated as a synonym of Eurema. Species in this genus are characterized by their diminutive size and yellow coloration, and they occur in the Americas. The type species and most members are found in North, Central, and South America.
Pyrisitia dina
Dina Yellow
Pyrisitia dina is a small yellow butterfly in the family Pieridae, distributed across the Caribbean, Middle America, and southern North America. The species is one of several yellows in the genus Pyrisitia, which are often associated with open, sunny habitats. Adults are typically active year-round in tropical regions and during warmer months in temperate areas.
Pyrisitia lisa
Little Yellow, Little Sulphur
Pyrisitia lisa, commonly known as the Little Yellow or Little Sulphur, is a small butterfly in the family Pieridae. It occurs across much of North America, with distribution records from Manitoba, Canada to Vermont, United States, and including San Andrés. The species was originally described as Xanthidia lisa and later transferred to the genus Pyrisitia.
Pyrisitia nise
mimosa yellow
Pyrisitia nise, commonly known as the mimosa yellow, is a small butterfly in the family Pieridae. It ranges from Argentina northward through the southern United States, with established populations in central and southern Florida and along the Texas Gulf Coast. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in wing patterning and has a documented association with Mimosa pudica as its larval host plant.