Species Details
Pieris oleracea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameMustard White
SeasonalityTwo broods, flying in June and again in late July to August.
IdentificationThis species and the Margined White (P. marginalis) are very similar. The Mustard White has well-marked, narrow and dark green markings along the veins of the hindwing underside, not broad, diffuse, and greyish-green as in marginalis. The second (summer) brood of oleracea often has these markings faint or absent. These two species occur together only in the foothills region. Alberta populations are the nominate subspecies (Layberry et al. 1998).
Scientific Name
Pieris oleracea
Common Name
Mustard White
Habitat
Moist mixed-wood forest.
Seasonality
Two broods, flying in June and again in late July to August.
Identification
This species and the Margined White (P. marginalis) are very similar. The Mustard White has well-marked, narrow and dark green markings along the veins of the hindwing underside, not broad, diffuse, and greyish-green…
This species and the Margined White (P. marginalis) are very similar. The Mustard White has well-marked, narrow and dark green markings along the veins of the hindwing underside, not broad, diffuse, and greyish-green as in marginalis. The second (summer) brood of oleracea often has these markings faint or absent. These two species occur together only in the foothills region. Alberta populations are the nominate subspecies (Layberry et al. 1998).
Life History
The eggs are conical and yellow, with longitudinal ridges. Mature larvae are green with a dark dorsal stripe and numerous blacks dots. They are covered with short, dense hairs (Guppy & Shepard 2001). Pupae have dorsal…
The eggs are conical and yellow, with longitudinal ridges. Mature larvae are green with a dark dorsal stripe and numerous blacks dots. They are covered with short, dense hairs (Guppy & Shepard 2001). Pupae have dorsal and apical projections, and vary in colour from pale green to white to brown (Guppy & Shepard 2001).
Conservation
Not of concern.
Diet Info
The larval hostplants are unknown in Alberta. In BC, Mustard Whites feed on wild mustards (Brassicaceae) such as rock cress (Arabis spp.) (Guppy & Shepard 2001). In the right habitat, females will also lay eggs on…
The larval hostplants are unknown in Alberta. In BC, Mustard Whites feed on wild mustards (Brassicaceae) such as rock cress (Arabis spp.) (Guppy & Shepard 2001). In the right habitat, females will also lay eggs on cultivated mustards such as cabbage (Hooper 1973). Adults will also nectar at flowers of mustards (Nielsen 1999).
Range
Found throughout Canada from Newfoundland west to the western Northwest Territories, and in the northeastern United States (Opler 1999). In Alberta, this species is restricted to the boreal and foothills region (Bird…
Found throughout Canada from Newfoundland west to the western Northwest Territories, and in the northeastern United States (Opler 1999). In Alberta, this species is restricted to the boreal and foothills region (Bird et al. 1995). There is an outlying population in the Cypress Hills of Saskatchewan, but it has not been found on the Alberta side (Layberry et al. 1998).
Citation
Page Citation for Pieris oleracea
Page Citation
"Species Details - Pieris oleracea, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2555. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
References
Author
Opler, Paul A.
Title
A field guide to western butterflies.
Publication Date
1999
Pages
540
Author
Bird, C. D., G.J. Hilchie, N.G. Kondla, E.M. Pike and F. A. H. Sperling
Title
Alberta Butterflies
Publication Date
1995
Pages
349
Author
Guppy, Crispin S. and Jon H. Shepard
Title
Butterflies of British Columbia.
Publication Date
2001
Pages
414
Author
Nielsen, M.C.
Title
Michigan Butterflies and Skippers.
Publication Date
1999
Pages
248 pp
Author
Layberry, Ross A.; Hall, Peter W. and J. Donald LaFontaine
Title
The Butterflies of Canada
Publication Date
1998
Pages
280
Author
Hooper, R.R.
Title
The Butterflies of Saskatchewan
Publication Date
1973
Pages
216 pp.
Specimen Information
There are 76 specimens of this Species.
UASM19420 - Pieris oleracea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1918-05-10
UASM19419 - Pieris oleracea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1918-05-10
UASM19421 - Pieris oleracea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1919-05-11
UASM19422 - Pieris oleracea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1919-05-11
UASM19423 - Pieris oleracea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1918-05-06
UASM19424 - Pieris oleracea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1920-06-09
UASM19425 - Pieris oleracea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1925-06-14
UASM19426 - Pieris oleracea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1918-05-05
UASM19427 - Pieris oleracea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1921-05-15
UASM19428 - Pieris oleracea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Fort Vermilion
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1925-06-15
UASM19429 - Pieris oleracea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1915-07-17
UASM19430 - Pieris oleracea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1922-07-17
UASM19431 - Pieris oleracea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1921-07-17
UASM19432 - Pieris oleracea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1909-07-18
UASM19433 - Pieris oleracea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1918-07-10
UASM19434 - Pieris oleracea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1919-07-20
UASM19435 - Pieris oleracea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1921-07-27
UASM19436 - Pieris oleracea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1922-07-26
UASM19437 - Pieris oleracea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1921-06-05
UASM19438 - Pieris oleracea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1915-05-23
UASM19439 - Pieris oleracea
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Wagner Natural Area
Collected BySchmidt, B. C.
Date Collected1999-05-09