The cabbage white (Pieris) is one of the most well-known pests in kitchen gardens. How do you recognize the butterfly feared by vegetable farmers, its caterpillars and eggs? What distinguishes the small (Pieris rapae) from the large cabbage white (Pieris brassicae)?
In a nutshell
- Large and small cabbage whites widespread in Central Europe
- belong to the family of whites (Pieris)
- Caterpillars cause significant feeding damage to crops
- especially on cabbage varieties
- Butterflies do no damage
Identify cabbage whites
Both the large cabbage white (Piers brassicae) and the small cabbage white (Pieris rapae) are widespread in Central Europe. The diurnal butterflies belong to the white butterfly family. They live in meadows, on the edges of forests and on cultivated areas. The whiting family includes about a thousand different species. Cabbage whites can hardly be distinguished from other white species in flight.
Tip: Take a picture when you spot an unfamiliar butterfly. From the picture you can see the details and find out his name.
We have put together for you the most important identification features of the large and small cabbage white, as well as the caterpillars and eggs.
Large Cabbage White (Pieris brassicae)
Female moth and caterpillar of the greater cabbage white (Pieris brassicae)
| butterfly | Caterpillar |
|---|---|
| - Wingspan 50 to 65 millimeters - creamy white wing tops - large, strong black spot on wing tips - Females with two black spots on forewings - Underside of wings yellowish - two to three generations per year | - young specimens hairless - yellowish body color, brown head - become darker with age - older cabbage white caterpillars with dense hairs - Body mottled with yellow and black - black head |
Notice: The caterpillar's black and yellow body color is understood by predators as a clear warning.
eggs
Pieris brassicae lays its yellowish eggs in a larger clutch.
Cabbage white eggs are laid in groups of about 20 on the underside of cruciferous leaves between May and June. Cabbage plants and nasturtiums are preferred. They are spotted black. When the caterpillars hatch, they feed on the leaves for three to four weeks, after which they pupate.
Attention: Cabbage whites love nettle manure! Do not apply the plant-strengthening mixture to your garden if you have grown cabbage.
Lesser Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
Mating moth and caterpillar of the Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
| butterfly | Caterpillar |
|---|---|
| - 40 to 50 millimeters wingspan - Creamy white forewings - slight dark gray coloring of the wingtips - Males with dark gray patch on top of forewings - Females with two dark gray spots - grey-yellow to greenish-yellow undersides of wings | - densely hairy - dull light green with small white areas - yellow side and back stripes - no black areas |
Notice: Not the butterfly, but the cabbage white caterpillar is the dreaded vegetable pest. As the name suggests, she loves all types of cabbage. It eats into the heads of the cabbage plants so that they can no longer be used as food.
eggs
One cannot speak of a real clutch of eggs from Pieris rapae.
The small cabbage white lays its light green eggs individually in April and July. In addition to cabbage plants and nasturtiums, caper and foxtail plants are also considered suitable host plants. When the caterpillars hatch, they don't just eat the leaves. They eat their way into the interior of the cabbage plants and leave their excrement there, causing high levels of agricultural damage.
Notice: Ichneumon wasps are among the most important enemies of the cabbage white. Settle the beneficial insects in your garden to protect them from the cabbage pest.
frequently asked Questions
Do native birds eat cabbage white caterpillars?The caterpillars of the large and small cabbage white are inedible to many birds and small animals. When eating the cabbage, it consumes pungent mustard oils, which it can store for a long time. For this reason, it is mostly spurned by birds.
When is the best time to encounter Cabbage Whites in nature?The butterflies can be observed from spring to autumn. They love the sun and are therefore often found in sunny, flowering meadows and in gardens. From June to October, the cabbage white caterpillars appear in large numbers.
Why do the cabbage white caterpillars usually appear in groups?The caterpillars of the cabbage white butterfly feel protected in the group. This is how their yellow-black warning color comes into its own and predators quickly flee. Their ability to absorb sulfur compounds from forage plants and use them to chemically defend their enemies is also more effective in groups.
Are the caterpillars of the greater and lesser cabbage white butterfly equally harmful in the kitchen garden?The caterpillar of the large cabbage white is not quite as feared as that of the small one. However, the large variant also prefers to eat cabbage. The generation that hatched in midsummer is particularly dangerous.