Pieridae Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
| Pieridae | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A Green-veined White | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Author: | Duponchel, 1835 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type species: | Pieris brassicae (Large White) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diversity: | 74 genera 1,051 species | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subfamilies | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dismorphiinae Pseudopontiinae Pierinae Coliadinae | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Pieridae are a large family of butterflies. They are characterised by mainly white or yellow coloration, often with black spots. The sexes usually differ, often in the pattern or number of the black markings.
The larvae (caterpillars) of some of these species feed on brassicas, and are agricultural pests.
The Pieridae are usually divided into four subfamilies, as follows:
- Dismorphiinae (6 genera)
- Pseudopontiinae (monotypic)
- Pierinae (55 genera)
- Coliadinae (14 genera)
Some well known species:
- Green-veined White, Pieris napi
- Small White, P. rapae
- Large White or Cabbage White, P. brassicae
- Clouded Yellow, Colias croceus
- Cloudless Sulphur Phoebis sennae
Clustering on a damp spot
Stuckey, South Carolina