Search

Search My Garden Blog with Google Custom Search

20.7.07

Small White-Pieris rapae

Small White Butterfly Pieris rapae
The Small White butterfly commonly called Small Cabbage White can be found in Europe, north Africa and Asia. It was accidentally introduced into Canada in 1860 from Europe and has since spread as far south as northwest Mexico.



In Chicago this white butterfly can be found just about everywhere from March to November. The caterpillar is often considered an agricultural pest because it feeds on edible plants like cabbage, radishes among other plants. In my garden it is most active during the middle of the day and for a long time I mistook this butterfly for a moth because it is so plain-looking.

I've not planted anything in my garden with the hopes of attracting this butterfly because it seems to be perfectly happy visiting the many weeds I let grow in my garden and I get some spill over from the many weeds that can be found in my neighborhood. I rarely see it visiting any of the perennials annuals that I've planted in the hopes of attracting insects to my urban garden. I guess there's no accounting for tastes. :)

5 comments:

  1. Ah "kålfjäril" (ie. cabbage butterfly, great hint on what it eats...) - the first butterfly I learnt to recognise when I was a kid.

    I really like your new poll, btw! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Glad you like it.

    One of the reasons I put it up was because of your blog. I take it you're not one of the two people who voted "no" so far.

    :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. what a great picture .. i love this butterfly and it's colors .. nothing fancy, but very elegant.

    ReplyDelete
  4. You have taken something plain and made it beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Nabeel and IGW,

    Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Glad you liked this little guy.

    ReplyDelete

Hi!

Feel free to leave a comment. You can always use the search box for my blog or the search "Google For Gardeners" if you're looking for gardening information. If you're looking for seed saving information check out "Seed Snatcher"search engine.

Do not have a blog yourself? Comment using the "anonymous" feature. If you have a Twitter or FB account feel free to use the "Name URL" feature so other people can find you.


Thanks for visiting.