Head to head
Brimstone Butterfly vs Cabbage White
Brimstone Butterfly
VS Cabbage White
The brimstone and cabbage white are both pale-winged butterflies of the family Pieridae, but one is a long-lived woodland-edge species and the other a worldwide garden pest.
| Brimstone Butterfly | Cabbage White | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Gonepteryx rhamni | Pieris rapae |
| Colour | Sulphur-yellow males and pale greenish-white females, with leaf-shaped wings | Plain white wings marked with one or two small black spots |
| Range | Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia | Native to Europe, accidentally introduced to North America in the 19th century, and now found across nearly the whole continent |
| Caterpillar food | Buckthorn and alder buckthorn | Cabbage and other brassicas, including broccoli and kale |
| Life cycle | The adult can live for about a year and hibernates among evergreens | Produces several generations within a single growing season |
| Habitat | Woodland edges, hedgerows, and meadows | Gardens, farmland, vacant lots, and other disturbed or urban habitat |
| Pest status | Not regarded as a pest | Its caterpillar, the imported cabbageworm, is a well-known pest of garden brassicas |
| Conservation status | Least Concern, with a stable population | Least Concern, abundant and stable |
Brimstone Butterfly vs Cabbage White: common questions
Which butterfly is a garden pest?
The cabbage white, whose caterpillar, the imported cabbageworm, is a well-known pest of cabbage, broccoli, and kale.
Which butterfly was introduced to North America?
The cabbage white, which was accidentally introduced from Europe in the 19th century.
Why is the brimstone hard to spot at rest?
Its wings are shaped and veined like leaves, which give it excellent camouflage among foliage.