Cabbage White Butterfly

Natural Habitat

Gardens, agricultural fields, meadows, urban areas, and practically any open, sunny area where its host plants grow.

Diet & Feeding

Adults feed on nectar from a wide variety of flowering plants. Larvae (caterpillars) feed primarily on plants in the family Brassicaceae (cruciferous vegetables), such as cabbage, broccoli, kale, radishes, and nasturtiums.

Behavior Patterns

Diurnal, active during the day. Females lay individual eggs on the underside of host plant leaves. Larvae are voracious feeders. Multiple generations can occur in a year depending on the climate. Adults exhibit an erratic, fluttering flight pattern.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include being a significant agricultural pest, as their caterpillars can cause considerable damage to cabbage and other brassica crops. Benefits include acting as pollinators for various wild and cultivated plants, contributing to ecosystem health.

Identified on: 9/21/2025