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Species account
Stor Kålsommerfugl
(Pieris brassicae)
Linnaeus (1758)
Hvidvinger (Pieridae) LAWH 24839
Hvidvinger (Pieridae) LAWH 24839
Large White (gb)
Blanca de la Col (es)
Kålfjäril (se)
Subspecies
brassicae
Europe to Turkey, Chile, USA, Japan.
ottonis
Röber (1907).
kashmirensis
Rishi (1973).
nepalensis
Gray (1846).
Measurements:
WS: 54-61mm
Generations:
1-3 (second the most numerous)
Flight period:
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Identification:
It is generally larger than the other whites in the Nordic region.
The extent and shape of the black forewing tip is the best way to separate the species. On LAWH the black continues further down the outer margin, than on the other whites, leaving the impression of a symmetrical boomerang spreading out from the apex corner. The black marking on the apex is dusted white in 1st brood; more intense black in 2nd. Second generation is generally larger.
Males show no black spots on the upper forewing, the female two. The underside is pale yellowish with an individual amount of dark scales scattered throughout - never concentrated as on Grønåret Kålsomerfugl (Pieris napi) [Green-veined White ~ Blanca Verdinervada ~Rapsfjäril] though. Both sexes show two black spots on the underside of the forewing.
It is generally larger than the other whites in the Nordic region.
The extent and shape of the black forewing tip is the best way to separate the species. On LAWH the black continues further down the outer margin, than on the other whites, leaving the impression of a symmetrical boomerang spreading out from the apex corner. The black marking on the apex is dusted white in 1st brood; more intense black in 2nd. Second generation is generally larger.
Males show no black spots on the upper forewing, the female two. The underside is pale yellowish with an individual amount of dark scales scattered throughout - never concentrated as on Grønåret Kålsomerfugl (Pieris napi) [Green-veined White ~ Blanca Verdinervada ~Rapsfjäril] though. Both sexes show two black spots on the underside of the forewing.
Similar species:
Life stages:
Distribution:
N Africa, Europe, Middle East and Asia to Himalayas. Intro Chile.
Habitat:
Originally forest clearings, wet meadows and coastal slopes. Today adapted to the cultivated landscape and can be seen almost everywhere.
In the past known to form huge migration waves moving from central Europe to the north in their millions. But after the wide use of pesticides these eruptions don't occur anymore.
In the past known to form huge migration waves moving from central Europe to the north in their millions. But after the wide use of pesticides these eruptions don't occur anymore.
Behavior:
Moves around a lot in a fluttering but still purposeful manner, why most of the time you just see them flying by in search of more food, host plants or mating-ready females.
Status:
Common in Denmark and southern Scandinavia.
Host plants:
In general:
Korsblomster (Brassicaceae) [Crucifers ~ Brasicáceas ~ Korsblommiga växter]
including:
Løgkarse (Alliaria petiolata) [Garlic Mustard ~ Hierba de Ajo ~ Löktrav]
Especially aggressive toward:
Have-Kål (Brassica oleracea) [Wild Cabbage ~ Col Silvestre ~ Kål] (especially the consumable white and green forms)
Peberrod (Armoracia rusticana) [Horseradish ~ Rábano Picante ~ Pepparrot]
Garden plants:
Vellugtende Aftenstjerne (Hesperis matronalis) [Damask-Violet ~Juliana ~ Hesperis]
Tallerkensmækker (Tropaeolum majus) [Garden Nasturtium ~ Capuchina ~ Indiankrasse]
Sommerfuglekarse (Tropaeolum peregrinum) [Canary Nasturtium ~ Capuchina Amarilla ~ Fjärilskrasse]
Edderkopplante (Cleome hassleriana) [Spider Flower ~ Flor Araña]
Farve-Vajd (Isatis tinctoria) [Woad ~ Hierba Pastel ~ Vejde]
Korsblomster (Brassicaceae) [Crucifers ~ Brasicáceas ~ Korsblommiga växter]
including:
Løgkarse (Alliaria petiolata) [Garlic Mustard ~ Hierba de Ajo ~ Löktrav]
Especially aggressive toward:
Have-Kål (Brassica oleracea) [Wild Cabbage ~ Col Silvestre ~ Kål] (especially the consumable white and green forms)
Peberrod (Armoracia rusticana) [Horseradish ~ Rábano Picante ~ Pepparrot]
Garden plants:
Vellugtende Aftenstjerne (Hesperis matronalis) [Damask-Violet ~Juliana ~ Hesperis]
Tallerkensmækker (Tropaeolum majus) [Garden Nasturtium ~ Capuchina ~ Indiankrasse]
Sommerfuglekarse (Tropaeolum peregrinum) [Canary Nasturtium ~ Capuchina Amarilla ~ Fjärilskrasse]
Edderkopplante (Cleome hassleriana) [Spider Flower ~ Flor Araña]
Farve-Vajd (Isatis tinctoria) [Woad ~ Hierba Pastel ~ Vejde]
Comment:
In Denmark and southern Sweden often flying in 3 generations. Further north only in two.
|
1956
(2 photos)
2023-05-21 Kongelundsområdet, Denmark Imago |
|
1700
(1 photos)
2023-06-24 Grusgrav ved Mogenstrup (Sjælland), Denmark Imago |
|
609
(1 photos)
2022-05-03 Kongelundsområdet, Denmark Imago Han |
|
610
(1 photos)
2022-05-03 Kongelundsområdet, Denmark Imago Han |
|
1648
(2 photos)
2023-05-18 Søholt Storskov (Maribo), Denmark Imago Han |
|
1955
(1 photos)
2023-05-21 Kongelundsområdet, Denmark Imago Han |
|
1856
(3 photos)
2022-07-21 Kongelundsområdet, Denmark Imago Hun |
|
1857
(2 photos)
2022-07-21 Kongelundsområdet, Denmark Imago Hun |
|
1573
(1 photos)
2023-06-07 Valdemarsvik (Östergötland), Sweden Imago Hun A common species not also easy to get close to, why you have to act on it when you can. |
|
1784
(2 photos)
2023-07-14 Kongelundsområdet, Denmark Imago Hun Skovfogedmarken. A rather rare visitor among the many Small Whites. |
|
2083
(2 photos)
2023-07-28 Addit Hede (midtjylland), Denmark Imago Hun |
|
2149
(2 photos)
2023-08-05 Voervadsbro (midtjylland), Denmark Imago Hun |