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Cabbage White Butterfly

Pieris rapae

Small white butterfly with black wing tips and gray underwing spots. Invasive species with multiple Bay Area broods yearly. Caterpillars devastate brassicas; native Pieris butterflies compete with this introduced pest.

Plants that support Cabbage White Butterfly

17 plants

Broad-leaved Lupine

Lupinus latifolius var. latifolius

moderate

perennial herb

Opportunistic herbivore on lupine foliage

Bay Area nativeKeystone species

Bugloss-flowered fiddleneck

Amsinckia lycopsoides

moderate

annual

Multiple generations utilize plant as larval host plant April-October

Bay Area native

Bur Marigold

Bidens laevis

moderate

annual

nectar source for multiple broods throughout growing season

Bay Area native

California Brickellbush

Brickellia californica

moderate

shrub

Opportunistic herbivore with multiple broods; larval activity spring through fall

Bay Area native

California Figwort

Scrophularia californica

moderate

perennial herb

Larval hostplant for multiple broods (Mar-Oct); larvae feed on foliage

Bay Area native

Creeping Oregon Grape

Berberis aquifolium var. repens

moderate

shrub

Larval host plant, multiple generations spring-fall

Bay Area native

Creeping Sage

Salvia sonomensis

moderate

shrub

Year-round presence with spring breeding; uses nectar during Apr-Jun bloom

Bay Area native

Daisy Fleabane

Erigeron philadelphicus var. philadelphicus

moderate

perennial herb

Spring and early summer foraging

Bay Area native

Giant Figwort*

Adelinia grandis

moderate

perennial herb

Multiple generations; larvae consume foliage year-round in California

Bay Area native

Hairy Thorn-apple

Datura wrightii

moderate

perennial herb

non-native species occasionally utilizing Datura

Bay Area native

Hummingbird Sage

Salvia spathacea

moderate

perennial herb

Spring through early summer nectar source

Bay Area native

Pink Honeysuckle

Lonicera hispidula

moderate

vine

Nectar source during spring bloom Apr-Jun

Bay Area native

Rod Wirelettuce

Stephanomeria virgata subsp. pleurocarpa

moderate

annual

Multiple generations through growing season; larvae feed on plant foliage

Bay Area native

Rosilla

Helenium puberulum

moderate

perennial herb

larvae utilize foliage; extended flight season March-November in California

Bay Area native

Tower Mustard

Turritis glabra

high

perennial herb

Multiple generations use crucifer plants as larval host plants throughout growing season

Bay Area native

Watercress

Nasturtium officinale

high

perennial herb

Caterpillars feed on watercress leaves; multiple generations Feb-Nov in California

Bay Area native

Woodland Strawberry

Fragaria vesca

moderate

perennial herb

Adult nectar forager during flowering season Apr-Jun

Bay Area nativeKeystone species