Identifying White Butterflies (Pierinae - Whites)

The white butterflies in the Pierinae subfamily are common throughout the United States.

Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae) Cabbage White Butterfly Orange Tip Butterflies Sulphur Butterflies Types of Butterflies

There are over thirty recorded species. Most are easy to identify by their white color and distinct dark markings.

The Cabbage White Butterfly, for example, is found in most gardens around the country and is characterized by black spots on the wings.

Orangetips are easily recognized by the distinct orange marks on the edge of the wings.

The Great Southern White in the picture on the left has a very restricted range. It calls the coastal areas of South Florida and the southern border states home. Like the Cabbage White, it also frequents gardens.

It is one of the least marked of the white butterflies. The male in the picture has a slight dark border on the top wings. The female has markings on the top and bottom wings.

The Mustard White is another species with limited range. It is primarily a northern species.

The picture on the left shows a side view during summer months. There is a slight yellow shading to the wings.

During the spring the veins are a greenish or dark color.

Most picture identifications of the Mustard White show it with the coloration in the veins. Without the veins, the picture here represents a best guess Mustard White identification. Margined White butterflies look similar. However, their "all white" season usually means that the underside is white, without the yellow shading.

The Pine White butterfly is a bit easier to identify. The picture on the left shows the top of the white wings with dark markings. The curved border line on the top of the wing that starts at the body is a key identification mark.

Pine Whites are fairly common in forested regions of the Western United States. The caterpillars feed on pine and other fir tree needles. The picture shows that adults feed on flowers in their territory.

The Checkered White butterfly is another relatively easy species to identify. It is also one of the most widespread species in the Pierinae family. Both the caterpillar and adult form are found in areas where mustard plants and their relatives thrive.

The picture on the left shows its more elaborate black or dark pattern on white wings. The markings on the wing borders are complimented by a dark bar on the top middle portion of the wing.

© 2007 Patricia A. Michaels.