Large White - Keele University
Small Skipper

Keele University Arboretum

Large White Pieris brassicae

The Large or Cabbage White can be confused with the Small White but the black patch on the tip of the wing spreads to about half way down the wing margin whereas on the Small White it spreads only a short distance (see page on White Butterflies).

large white M large white F
Male Female


Large white larva As with the Small and Green-veined Whites the males have only one spot on the upperwing while the females have two. In the above illustration, the spot on the male is hardly visible. This is typical of autumn broods.

The larvae feed on various crucifers and to gardeners are well-known pests of brassicas eg. cabbage, sprouts etc. There are 2 broods per year and the adults fly between April and October. In the late summer numbers are swollen by the arrival of immigrants when it can become very common.

Numbers of this species are kept in check by predations of a small (3mm) parasitic wasp Apanteles glomeratus.

The Species