Kauaʻi record · KCA-IA-00636
Cabbage White
Pieris rapae
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About Cabbage White
Cabbage White (Pieris rapae) is a member of Pieridae in the order Lepidoptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced.
Cabbage White (Pieris rapae) is documented from Kauaʻi. Pierid butterflies undergo complete metamorphosis. Adults are day-flying nectar feeders; caterpillars are plant feeders on a species-specific host range. On Kauaʻi, observations are most useful when they record larval host, egg/larva/chrysalis, adult sex if possible, and flower use. Where island-specific host, prey, breeding-site, abundance, or seasonal information is not yet firmly documented, those details should remain tied to direct specimens and field observations rather than inferred from populations elsewhere.
Cabbage White (Pieris rapae) is an introduced butterfly recorded on Kauaʻi. Caterpillars feed on plants in the mustard/cabbage family and differ strongly from adults.
Kauaʻi occurrence evidence: BAMONA preserves a verified Kauaʻi record from 2009; historical Lepidopterists' Society reporting documents sightings/specimens from several Kauaʻi localities, and the species was introduced to Hawaiʻi by the late 19th century.
The cited occurrence evidence does not by itself establish current abundance or population trend on Kauaʻi.
Life cycle
Egg; caterpillar; pupa; adult.
Habitat
Open vegetation, gardens, roadsides, and other sites containing larval host plants and nectar flowers.
Food and ecological role
Larvae feed on host plants; adults take nectar.
Reproduction
Females lay eggs on suitable host plants.
Movement
Adults are strong day-fliers and may disperse widely.
Ecosystem role
Herbivore as larva and flower visitor/pollinator as adult.
Threats and impacts
Introduced butterflies may add herbivory to nonnative or native hosts; effects are species-specific.
Monitoring
Record larval host, egg/larva/chrysalis, adult sex if possible, and flower use.
Names and classification
- Scientific name
- Pieris rapae
- Common names
- Cabbage White
- Family
- Pieridae
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Record type
- species
Kauaʻi occurrence and status
- Kauaʻi occurrence
- Present
- Origin
- Introduced
- Conservation status
- Not assessed
Process and seasonal context
- Seasonal description
- Cabbage White (Pieris rapae) is a member of Pieridae in the order Lepidoptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced.