Leonard Weber

June 23, 2023

One of the most common butterflies in Detroit’s Eliza Howell Park is a medium-sized white butterfly (with a wingspan of 1 and a half to 2 inches). It can be seen many, many times from spring to fall.

Cabbage White is white, except for a dark patch at the wingtips and one (male) or two (female) spots on the forewing.

Cabbage White is one of only two butterfly species that I see in Eliza Howell Park that are not native to North America. (The other is European Skipper.) It was introduced in Canada from Europe in the 19th century and has since become both common and widespread.

The name cones from the fact that the caterpillars feed on the leaves of plants in the mustard/cabbage family.

Sometimes the handwings of a Cabbage White are pale yellow, noticeable when wings are closed.

Cabbage White probably has three broods a year in this part of the coubtry. It spends the winter in the chrysalis stage.

It’s easy to think that such a common species is un-interesting, especially when it is not as colorful as many others in the park (“it’s just a Cabbage White”), but I recommend giving some attention to this species.

It is another fascinating butterfly to get to know.