Pieris oleracea
Species of butterfly / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Pieris oleracea, or more commonly known as the mustard white, is a butterfly in the family Pieridae native to a large part of Canada and the northeastern United States. The nearly all-white butterfly is often found in wooded areas or open plains. There are two seasonal forms, which make it distinct from other similar species.[1][2] Because of climate change, populations are moving further north.[3][4]
Mustard white | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Pieridae |
Genus: | Pieris |
Species: | P. oleracea |
Binomial name | |
Pieris oleracea Harris, 1829 | |
As indicated by the common name, P. oleracea adults and larvae primarily feed on plants in the mustard family, Brassicaceae. The species is threatened by the rapid, and monoculture-forming, spread of the invasive species Alliaria petiolata, which is toxic to larvae.[5] Populations of P. oleracea have been declining.[6] It may be that this butterfly is slowly adapting to garlic mustard. However, it may not be a fast enough process to ensure its survival, due to the high level of aggression on the part of the plant and the continuing encroachment of human development.[7]
Its specific name oleracea means "related to vegetables/herbs" in Latin and is a form of holeraceus (oleraceus).[8][9]