75 in24 in 4462 mm Both sexes have a similar chalky white base color on the wings The black spots on the upper surface of the wings are restricted to forewings in the males but extend onto the hindwings in females Although the number of spots differ ID: 41214
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Checkered White, Pontia protodiceStatus: ThreatenedFederal: Not listedIdentificationSimilar in size and appearance to themuch more common cabbage white (Pieris), adult checkered whites reach sizes of1.75 in.-2.4 in. (44-62 mm). Both sexes havea similar chalky white base color on thewings. The black spots on the upper surfaceof the wings are restricted to forewings in themales, but extend onto the hindwings infemales. Although the number of spots differbetween the sexes, both males and females of thisspecies have a greater number of spots on the uppersurface of the forewing than cabbage whites, which only have one (male) or two (female)spots present. A characteristic black patch exists along the bottom front margin of theforewing in both sexes of checkered whites; the under surface of the hindwing is a solidoff-white color.HabitatMainly restricted to open areas such as savannas, old fields, vacant lots, andpower line right-of-ways, checkered whites can sometimes be found along forest edges(especially in the spring).Status and ConservationThis species has decreased in abundance in many northeastern states despite thefact that it is still quite common in many southern and western states. The fact that NewJersey falls along the northeastern periphery of its range could partially explain the lowoccurrence of this species in the state. © Wade and Sharon Wander