North American Butterflies and Moths List

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Butterflies of North America

Butterflies of Alaska

Margined White (Pieris marginalis)
JPG -- species photo

Margined White (Pieris marginalis Scudder)

Wing span: 1 1/2 - 2 1/4 inches (3.8 - 5.7 cm).

Identification: Summer form is pure white above and below; spring form has black-tipped upper forewing. Underside of hindwing and apex of forewing have veins edged with yellow-green or gray-green.

Life history: Males patrol for receptive females. Eggs are laid singly on underside of host plant leaves on which the caterpillars feed. Chrysalis hibernates.

Flight: Two flights from February-September in the West.

Caterpillar hosts: Various native plants in the mustard (Brassicaceae) family.

Adult food: Nectar from flowers of the mustard family and other plants.

Habitat: Forests, meadows, deciduous woods, streamsides.

Range: Southern British Columbia and Alberta south to central California and southern New Mexico; east to eastern Wyoming and eastern Colorado.

Conservation: Not usually required.

Management needs: Study effects of logging and grazing.

References:

Opler, P. A. and G. O. Krizek. 1984. Butterflies east of the  Great Plains. 
     Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. 294 pages, 54 color plates.

Opler, P. A. and V. Malikul. 1992. A field guide to eastern  butterflies. 
     Peterson field guide #4. Houghton-Mifflin Co.,  Boston. 396 pages, 
     48 color plates.

Tilden, J. W. 1986. A field guide to western butterflies.  Houghton-Mifflin 
     Co., Boston, Mass. 370 pages, 23 color plates.

Author: Jane M. Struttmann

State and Regional References:

Layberry, R.A., Hall, P.W. & Lafontaine, D.J., 1998.  The Butterflies of 
     Canada.  University of Toronto Press, Toronto, ON.  280 pp. 
Distribution Map Not Available

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