What specific appearance marker reliably indicates the sex of the Cabbage White (Pieris rapae) on the upper side of the forewing?
Answer
The number of black spots (one for male, two for female)
The number of dark spots visible on the upper side of the forewing serves as a reliable quick-reference key for determining the sex of the Cabbage White, scientifically designated as Pieris rapae. Males of this species typically exhibit only a single black spot on each forewing. In contrast, the female Cabbage White possesses two black spots on the same location on each forewing. While this method is excellent for identifying P. rapae, relying solely on this count can be less effective when distinguishing it from the Large White, which tends to have much larger and more defined black markings near the wing tips.
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?