by Ilse Gebhard, KAWO member
I know Cabbage White (Pieris rapae) butterflies are not native to the US but when you suffer from CCB (Caterpillar Compulsive Behavior) and Monarchs are all gone for the season, one stoops to even raise Cabbage Whites. Introduced from Europe, it is one of the most abundant butterflies in our area.
As the name implies, this butterfly is white above and has a wingspan of 1 ¼ to 1 ¾ inches. The male sports one black spot on the forewings and the female two. Both sexes have a dark area at the tip of their forewings. Interestingly, early spring individuals have these markings greatly diminished, to almost invisible. At rest, the underside of the hind wing has a yellowish cast. Its flight is fairly strong but erratic.
The caterpillar’s major food source is both wild and cultivated crucifers, like cabbage, brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, kale. Unless you grow your own organically, you are not likely to find the caterpillars on your veggies. They are only about 1 inch long when fully grown and their green color provides them excellent camouflage.
A few years ago, in the fall, friends gave us a much-appreciated batch of kale which harbored two Cabbage White caterpillars. If I missed any on washing the kale, we would have had some extra protein. I saved some of the kale to feed them. After a few days, they pupated and I think the chrysalis is fully as attractive as that of the Monarch.
The chrysalises spent the winter in their deli container homes in the screened-in porch of our former home, where the butterflies emerged the following spring.
