Bug FAQLarge White
Pieris brassicae · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Pieridae
Also called: Cabbage White, European Cabbage White, Large Cabbage White
Source: Wikipedia
The large white butterfly lives in open areas, farms and gardens where its food plants grow, often perching on walls, fences or tree trunks. It is common across Europe, North Africa and Asia and its larvae feed on Brassica vegetables, causing damage to crops like cabbage and cauliflower. Eggs hatch in about a week, the larvae group together, go through four molts and five instars before becoming pupae.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
Prefers large, open spaces, farms and vegetable gardens where its food plants are present. Often found on walls, fences, tree trunks and near its host plants.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
Larvae feed on Brassica crops such as cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kohlrabi, rape, swede and turnip. Adults prefer the same types of food plants for laying eggs.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Eggs hatch about one week after being laid and the young larvae stay together for a time. Larvae undergo four moults, passing through five instars before pupating.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Found widely throughout Europe, North Africa and Asia.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 1 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Maine.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Questions people ask
Does the large white butterfly damage garden vegetables?
Yes, its caterpillars eat Brassica vegetables like cabbage and turnip, causing crop loss.
Source: Wikipedia
Where is the large white butterfly commonly found?
It is common across Europe, North Africa and Asia, especially in open farms and gardens.
Source: Wikipedia
How long does it take for the eggs to hatch?
Eggs hatch about one week after being laid.
Source: Wikipedia
What stages does the larva go through?
The larva molts four times, passing through five instars before becoming a pupa.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Pieridae)
Sources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pieris_brassicae
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-22 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-22.