The white butterfly is a common sight across the United States during the spring and summer months. Though often overlooked, these delicate insects play an important role in backyard ecosystems. There are several different species of white butterflies native to North America, each with its own unique features and behaviors. Learning to identify the most common types can be an enjoyable hobby for nature lovers of all ages.
Major Types of White Butterflies in the U.S.
The most frequently encountered white butterflies belong to the pierid family, which includes the cabbage whites, sulphurs, and orange tips. Here is an overview of the major pierid butterflies found in the continental United States:
Cabbage White Butterflies
Cabbage whites are arguably the most ubiquitous white butterfly in the U.S. As their name suggests, they are commonly seen fluttering around vegetable gardens, especially those containing cabbage and other cruciferous plants. There are two nearly identical species:
- Imported Cabbageworm – Scientific name: Pieris rapae. Native to Europe, these cabbage whites are now widespread across North America.
- Cabbage White – Scientific name: Pieris oleracea. A very similar looking native species found across the U.S.
Both types have white wings with distinct black dots. Females also have two black spots on their forewings. They have a wingspan of about 2.5 inches. Cabbage whites are highly resilient and can produce multiple generations per year. The caterpillars are considered agricultural pests.
Sulphur Butterflies
Unlike cabbage whites, sulphur butterflies tend to frequent open fields and meadows. They are medium-sized with wingspans reaching up to 2.3 inches. There are several common species in the U.S. including:
- Cloudless Sulphur – Scientific name Phoebis sennae. One of the most widely seen, it is identified by its solid bright yellow hue.
- Orange Sulphur – Scientific name Colias eurytheme. Lives up to its name with its bright orange wings.
- Sleepy Orange Butterfly – Scientific name Eurema nicippe. A smaller sulphur with reddish-orange wings outlined in brown.
Sulphur larvae feed on plants like clover and alfalfa. Adults sip nectar from many flowering plants. They are widespread sightings in gardens and parks.
Falcate Orangetip Butterfly
The falcate orangetip (Anthocharis midea) earns its name from the vibrant orange patches on the tips of its forewings. The rest of its wings are marbled in grayish-white. It has an angular wingspan reaching about 1.5 inches. As larvae, these butterflies feed solely on mustards. Adults frequent open fields but rarely visit flowers. This species ranges across the western half of the continental U.S.
Geographic Ranges and Habitats
The various white butterflies are found nearly nationwide, though some have more restricted distributions:
| Species | Range in U.S. |
|---|---|
| Imported Cabbageworm | All lower 48 states |
| Cabbage White | All lower 48 states |
| Cloudless Sulphur | Most of U.S., except Pacific Northwest and northern states |
| Orange Sulphur | Most of U.S., except driest deserts of Southwest |
| Sleepy Orange | Eastern half of U.S., west to Texas and Nebraska |
| Falcate Orangetip | Western half of U.S., east to Nebraska |
In terms of habitats, cabbage whites are most abundant in agricultural areas, gardens, and urban parks. Sulphurs frequent open spaces like meadows, fields, and grasslands. The orangetip resides in grasslands, chaparral, and brushy areas in foothills and mountains. All of these butterflies require open areas with sunshine where their food plants grow. They avoid dense forests and swamplands.
Life Cycle and Metamorphosis
Like all butterflies, white butterflies undergo a complete metamorphosis with four life stages:
Egg
Adult females lay eggs singly or in small groups on the host plant. The tiny eggs are often pale yellow. They hatch within several days.
Caterpillar
The emerging caterpillar eats and grows through a series of molts. When fully grown, the caterpillar forms a chrysalis for the pupal stage. Caterpillars have a cylindrical body shape with six legs.
Pupa
Inside the protective chrysalis, the caterpillar radically transforms its body, breaking down and reforming tissues and organs to become an adult butterfly. This pupal stage lasts 1-2 weeks.
Adult
The adult butterfly emerges from the chrysalis, inflates and dries its wings, and flies off in search of food and mates. Butterflies take nectar from flowers. Females lay eggs shortly after mating and may produce multiple broods. Most species live 2-4 weeks as an adult.
The life cycle spans anywhere from one month to one year depending on climate, generation, and diapause periods during winter. The number of generations per year varies. Cabbage whites may have up to 5-6 generations annually.
Diet and Eating Habits
The caterpillars and adults of white butterflies have different dietary needs.
Caterpillar Diet
Caterpillars are specialist feeders, eating only the leaves of certain host plants:
- Cabbage whites – Cabbage, kale, broccoli, and other brassicas
- Sulphurs – Legumes like clover and alfalfa
- Orangetip – Mustard greens and related plants
The caterpillar stage is when these insects can damage crops by voraciously consuming leaves.
Adult Diet
In contrast, adult butterflies feed on sugary nectar from a wide variety of flowers. Adults use their long, tubular proboscis to sip nectar while hovering near blooms. White butterflies especially like juice from flowers in the daisy, mint, and parsley families.
Migration
Some sulphur butterflies exhibit seasonal migration patterns. In late summer and fall, southerly winds carry clouds of sulphurs like the cloudless and orange sulphur northward along mountain chains. These butterflies breed and lay eggs along their journey. Offspring or survivors then migrate back south the following spring. These annual movements allow the populations to exploit temporary flower blooms. Cabbage whites and orangetips generally do not migrate long distances.
Benefits
While the cabbageworm caterpillar damages crops, overall white butterflies provide several ecological benefits:
- Pollination – By drinking nectar from many flowers, the butterflies incidentally transfer pollen and help pollinate plants.
- Food source – Larvae provide a high-protein food source for birds, beneficial insects, and other predators.
- Indicator species – Their presence and abundance signifies habitat quality and ecosystem health.
Home gardeners should view white butterflies as signs of a robust backyard ecosystem rather than as pests. Their decorative beauty as adults can be enjoyed as well!
Threats and Conservation Status
Most white butterfly species remain widespread and abundant across their ranges. A few exceptions include:
- Western White Butterfly – Vulnerable to extinction due to potential habitat loss.
- Becker’s White Butterfly – Endangered species limited to a small area of coastal California.
- Bramble Hairstreak – Declining numbers due to invasive plants disrupting habitats.
More research is needed to better understand population sizes and conservation needs for many butterflies. Providing open green spaces with native flowering plants can help support white butterfly populations and other pollinators. Avoiding pesticides also allows their caterpillars to thrive.
Conclusion
White butterflies add a touch of delicate beauty to backyards and gardens while also serving important ecological roles. Learning to identify the common species, like the cabbage white, sulphurs, and orangetip, allows you to appreciate their diversity and behaviors. Support these graceful insects by minimizing pesticide usage and planting nectar-rich flowers. With their fluttering wingspans and fascinating metamorphosis, white butterflies showcase the wonder and interconnectivity of nature.