North American Ecology (US and Canada)
provided by North American Butterfly Knowledge Network
Resident in western North America (Scott 1986). Habitats are DESERT TO PINE FOREST. Host plants are usually herbaceous with most known hosts largely restricted to a few species in one family, CRUCIFERAE. Eggs are laid on the host plant singly. Individuals overwinter as pupae. There are is one flight each year with the approximate flight time MAY15-JUN30 in the northern part of the range and FEB1-MAY30 in the southern part of their range (Scott 1986). Listed as Pieris sisymbrii by Scott (1986).
Conservation Status
provided by University of Alberta Museums
Not of concern.
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- University of Alberta Museums
Cyclicity
provided by University of Alberta Museums
One brood annually, with peak flight activity between early and late June.
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- University of Alberta Museums
Distribution
provided by University of Alberta Museums
Primarily a species of the western mountainous regions, occuring from the Yukon south into northern Mexico (Opler 1999). The northern populations (Yukon, NWT, northern B.C. and northern AB) are geographically isolated from those further south.
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- University of Alberta Museums
General Description
provided by University of Alberta Museums
The Spring White (Pontia sisymbrii) is the easiest species to distinguish of the three Pontia whites; the dark vein markings on the hindwing underside are not connected laterally, and it occurs only in montane woodlands and extreme northern Alberta. Females have a yellow flush to them, unlike the Western and Checkered Whites. Alberta populations are the nominate subspecies. Mountain populations are referable to subspecies flavitincta, and our northern boreal populations are the recently-described subspecies beringiensis Guppy & Kondla (Guppy & Shepard 2001).
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- University of Alberta Museums
Habitat
provided by University of Alberta Museums
Open, often rocky conifer woodlands.
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- University of Alberta Museums
Life Cycle
provided by University of Alberta Museums
The eggs are conical and elongated, and turn orange soon after they are laid (Guppy & Shepard 2001). Mature larvae have black lateral line and are light yellow with yellow bands separating the segments dorsally and laterally (Guppy & Shepard 2001). Puape are dark brown with darker spots, and have a rough texture (Guppy & Shepard 2001).
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- University of Alberta Museums
Trophic Strategy
provided by University of Alberta Museums
Larval food plants are not known in Alberta. In BC, females lay eggs on wild mustard (Arabis sp.) (Guppy & Shepard 2001).
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- University of Alberta Museums
Pontia sisymbrii
provided by wikipedia EN
Pontia sisymbrii, the spring white, California white, or Colorado white, is a butterfly in the family Pieridae. It is found in mountainous areas of western Canada and the United States.[1]
It is mostly white with small black markings; females may be yellowish. Similar to other checkered whites such as, Pontia beckerii, Pontia protodice, and Pontia occidentalis.[1][2]
The wingspan is 31 to 40 millimeters.[1]
The host plants are in Brassicaceae (the mustard family) and include Caulanthus, Streptanthus, and Sisymbrium altissimum, Arabis glabra, Arabis furcata, and Arabis holboelli.[3]
Subspecies
Listed alphabetically.[3]
-
Pontia sisymbrii elivata (Barnes & Benjamin, 1926)
-
Pontia sisymbrii flavitincta (Comstock, 1924)
-
Pontia sisymbrii nigravenosa Austin & Emmel, ?2003
- Pontia sisymbrii sisymbrii
-
Pontia sisymbrii transversa Holland, 1995
References
- license
- cc-by-sa-3.0
- copyright
- Wikipedia authors and editors
Pontia sisymbrii: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
Pontia sisymbrii, the spring white, California white, or Colorado white, is a butterfly in the family Pieridae. It is found in mountainous areas of western Canada and the United States.
It is mostly white with small black markings; females may be yellowish. Similar to other checkered whites such as, Pontia beckerii, Pontia protodice, and Pontia occidentalis.
The wingspan is 31 to 40 millimeters.
The host plants are in Brassicaceae (the mustard family) and include Caulanthus, Streptanthus, and Sisymbrium altissimum, Arabis glabra, Arabis furcata, and Arabis holboelli.
- license
- cc-by-sa-3.0
- copyright
- Wikipedia authors and editors
