Great Southern White Butterfly (Ascia monuste)

Published on Project Noah

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26.2237, -80.1967

Field Notes

Description:

The Great Southern White (Ascia monuste), locally known in Argentina as pirpinto, is the only species of butterfly of the genus Ascia of the Pieridae family. In this species the sexes may differ with the female being either light or dark colored.

Habitat:

It is found from the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States, south through tropical America to Argentina. Migratory along the south-eastern coast of the United States, with strays to Maryland, Kansas, and Colorado.

Notes:

Ascia monuste is an example of a migrating species that moves in one direction within its life-span and does not return. It breeds in Florida but sometimes migrates along the coast up to 160 km to breed in more suitable areas.

Species ID Suggestions