Besides brassicas, which additional specific food sources are consumed by the caterpillars of the Large White (Pieris brassicae)?
Answer
Nasturtiums and horseradish
The caterpillar diet is a critical factor in assessing the agricultural impact of these insects. Both the Large White and the Cabbage White larvae display a strong feeding preference for plants belonging to the Brassica family, which includes common cultivated crops like broccoli and cauliflower. However, the Large White has a slightly broader palate than the Cabbage White regarding these specific non-brassica items. In addition to the Brassicas, the caterpillars of the Large White readily consume secondary host plants, specifically identifying nasturtiums and horseradish as enjoyable food sources.
Related Questions
What host plant does the Small White (Pieris napi) caterpillar primarily favor differently than the Large White and Cabbage White?What specific appearance marker reliably indicates the sex of the Cabbage White (Pieris rapae) on the upper side of the forewing?What distinguishing feature marks the underside of the Small White (Pieris napi) wings compared to its relatives?In which continent did the Cabbage White (Pieris rapae) establish itself relatively late, around the late 1800s, before spreading widely?To which scientific family do the Large White, Small White, and Cabbage White butterflies generally belong?Besides brassicas, which additional specific food sources are consumed by the caterpillars of the Large White (Pieris brassicae)?What color description is typically given for the chrysalis of the Cabbage White?How does the flight behavior of the adult Cabbage White often manifest when observed among vegetation?What comparison of physical size differentiates the Large White from the Small White?What specific effect do high populations of Large White and Cabbage White larvae have on their preferred Brassica crops?