Florida White
Appias drusilla
Tropical White
Description 1 5/8-2 3/8" (41-60 mm). Male all white on both surfaces except for black along FW costal margin. Female variable, may be off-white or have dark-bordered FW and pale orange HW, with FW below orange at base and HW below pale orange. Both sexes have drawn out, rather pointed FW (especially male) concave on outer margin, and silky sheen to inner portion of wings above and HW below.
Similar Species Great Southern White has more rounded wings, dark tips. Giant White is black-spotted.
Life Cycle White eggs turn yellow before hatching; deposited in groups of 2 or 3. Caterpillar, to 1 1/4" (33 mm), dark green, gray and white-lined on sides, stippled with fine yellow and black hair. Chrysalis pale gray-green with reddish spots and some black and white markings.
Host plants include capers (Capparis) and Guiana plum (Drypetes lateriflora).
Flight Virtually year-round in southern part of range.
Habitat Shaded hardwood hammocks, evergreen river forests, and open areas with flowers.
Range Neotropics: resident in S. Texas and S. Florida, rarely emigrating northward as far as Nebraska and New York.
Discussion The Florida White is one of the few North American butterflies that prefers shaded thicket interiors to glades or open sunny spaces. However, it will go into the sun to take nectar from yellow composite flowers. Other whites prefer sunshine and lack this species' narrow, pointed wings.
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