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
perennial herb
Opportunistic herbivore on lupine foliage
Bugloss-flowered fiddleneck
Amsinckia lycopsoides
annual
Multiple generations utilize plant as larval host plant April-October
Bur Marigold
Bidens laevis
annual
nectar source for multiple broods throughout growing season
California Brickellbush
Brickellia californica
shrub
Opportunistic herbivore with multiple broods; larval activity spring through fall
California Figwort
Scrophularia californica
perennial herb
Larval hostplant for multiple broods (Mar-Oct); larvae feed on foliage
Creeping Oregon Grape
Berberis aquifolium var. repens
shrub
Larval host plant, multiple generations spring-fall
Creeping Sage
Salvia sonomensis
shrub
Year-round presence with spring breeding; uses nectar during Apr-Jun bloom
Daisy Fleabane
Erigeron philadelphicus var. philadelphicus
perennial herb
Spring and early summer foraging
Giant Figwort*
Adelinia grandis
perennial herb
Multiple generations; larvae consume foliage year-round in California
Hairy Thorn-apple
Datura wrightii
perennial herb
non-native species occasionally utilizing Datura
Hummingbird Sage
Salvia spathacea
perennial herb
Spring through early summer nectar source
Pink Honeysuckle
Lonicera hispidula
vine
Nectar source during spring bloom Apr-Jun
Rod Wirelettuce
Stephanomeria virgata subsp. pleurocarpa
annual
Multiple generations through growing season; larvae feed on plant foliage
Rosilla
Helenium puberulum
perennial herb
larvae utilize foliage; extended flight season March-November in California
Tower Mustard
Turritis glabra
perennial herb
Multiple generations use crucifer plants as larval host plants throughout growing season
Watercress
Nasturtium officinale
perennial herb
Caterpillars feed on watercress leaves; multiple generations Feb-Nov in California
Woodland Strawberry
Fragaria vesca
perennial herb
Adult nectar forager during flowering season Apr-Jun