Small Cabbage White Butterfly

The Small Cabbage White (Pieris rapae) is a common and widespread butterfly in the family Pieridae (Yellows and Whites). It is a medium sized butterfly with wingspan 45mm-50mm. The upperside is creamy white with black tips to the forewings. Males have one and females have two black spots in the center of the forewings. The underside forewing is black speckled at basal and creamy white at center with yellowish tip and having two prominent black spots and one obscure black spot near the tip. The hindwing is yellowish with black speckles.
As you know that the small white butterfly is a pest on cultivated cabbages and other mustard family crops. Today I observed a few female butterflies laying eggs on my recently grown vegetables including cauliflowers, radishes, turnips and mustard green. In the above picture you see a female in action, laying egg on small radish plant. The plants are so small, except cauliflower plants, which I bought from a nursery. I didn't opt to catch and kill the butterflies, rather decided that I will observe the plants and if the damage by the caterpillars cross the limit then, I will spray pesticide. Being a butterfly lover, it will be very difficult situation for me, but hopefully the damage will not cross the limit and this will bring me an opportunity to document the life cycle of the butterfly.

Small White Butterfly

Female Laying Egg

Small Cabbage White Butterfly Male Underside

Small Cabbage White Butterfly Male Upperside