Large White
(Pieris Brassicae)
Before the 1940's, Cabbage fields in Britain were often covered by a fluttering haze of Large White butterflies. The caterpillars were major pests, destroying great numbers of Cabbages. However, the widespread use of organice insecticides since the end of the Second World War has caused severe losses to the Large Whites and other butterflies, in 1955 they were stricken by a butterfly virus. They have never regained their previous numbers even in good years, despite the regular migration of Large Whites from the continent each year.
20/03/2015 in Bournemouth, Dorset
Lyme Regis - 29.8.08
Taken on October 11, 2013 (Briantspuddle, Dorset) - Note exit holes of chalcid wasp
Taken on November 3, 2013 (Briantspuddle, Dorset) - Exit hole and wasp below
Pupa (Chrysalis):
Defensive grouping of almost full-grown larvae feeding on Nasturtium.
Lyme Regis - 22.8.08
Taken on October 21, 2012
Taken on September 3, 2013
Taken on September 3, 2013
Larva (Caterpillar):
Taken on July 15, 2006
Taken on August 25, 2011
Ovum (Egg):
Imago (Adult):
© Adam Grochowalski
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The popular name 'Cabbage White' refers both to the Small and Large White butterflies. Both lay their eggs on Cabbages, but the caterpillars of the Large White are conspicuous and feed exposed on the outer leaves, while the Small White caterpillars feed unseen in the heart of the Cabbage. Sixty wild members of the Cabbage family are recorded as food plants, though the caterpillars of the Large White also eat Garden Nasturtiums and Mignonettes.
There are normally two generations of the butterfly in Britain each year- from April to June and again from July to September. The second generation have darker markings.