The Butterflies of the World Foundation

A Non-Profit Organization

Pontia protodice, one half mile south of Lexington Wildlife Management Area, Cleveland County, Oklahoma, 28 April 2007                                                   Ref #:  I-370-16.1

Checkered White

Pontia protodice, Boisduval & Le Conte, (1830)

Subfamily Pierinae

Tribe Pierini

Taxonomy

There are about 1100 or so species within the family Pieridae.  The family is further divided into three subfamilies, the Coliadinae which has about 300 species worldwide and includes the Sulphurs, Yellows and Brimstones, the Pierinae which has about 700 species worldwide and includes the Whites, Orange-tips and Jezebels, and the Dismorphiinae which has about 100 species mostly in the tropics and includes the Wood Whites and Mimics.

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Pontia protodice, Lexington Wildlife Management Area, Cleveland County, Oklahoma, 26 May 2006                                                                                  Ref #:  I-352-13.2

Pontia protodice, Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge, Comanche County, Oklahoma, 22 May 2007                                                                 Ref #:  I-376-16

Pontia protodice, Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge, Ward County, North Dakota, 4 September 2004                                                                            Ref #:  I-293-12

General Information:

Pontia protodice is a common butterfly found throughout most of the United States and southern Canada.  It flies from spring to fall with one to three broods depending on latitude.  It is an avid flower visitor and can be found in most habitats including gardens.

Lifecycle:

The larval food plants are many native and introduced plants in the mustard family.  Females lay eggs singly on leaves and flowers of host plants. Buds, flowers, and fruits are favorite foods of caterpillars, but they will also eat leaves.

Pontia protodice, Lexington Wildlife Management Area, Cleveland County, Oklahoma, 26 May 2006                                                                                    Ref #:  I-352-11

Pontia protodice, Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge, Marshall County, Oklahoma, 28 April 2012

                                                         Ref #:  I-504-7

Pontia protodice, Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge, Marshall County, Oklahoma, 28 April 2012                                                                                          Ref #:  I-504-11

Pontia protodice, Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge, Marshall County, Oklahoma, 28 April 2012

                                                       Ref #:  I-504-16