Scientific Name: Ascia monuste
Common Name: (great) Southern White

Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens, Deerfield, MA

Papilionoidea Pieridae Pierinae

Family: Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)

Subfamily: Whites (Pierinae)

Identification: Upper surface of male forewing white with black zigzag pattern on outer margin. Dry season female form resembles male with heavier black zigzag pattern and a small black spot in the wing cell. Wet-season female is darkened with black scales above and below.

Life history: Males patrol for females. Eggs are laid on the upper surface of host plant leaves in groups of about 20.

Flight: All year in South Texas, peninsular Florida, and along the Gulf Coast. Range: Resident of south Atlantic and Gulf coasts south through tropical America. Migratory along the Southeastern coast. Strays to Maryland, Kansas, and Colorado.
Habitat: Salt marshes, coastal dunes, open fields, and gardens.

Wing span: 2 1/2 - 3 3/8 inches (6.3 - 8.6 cm).

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