Checkered White
Pontia protodice
Last reviewed: May 2026
Checkered White is known for its white wings with black checkered pattern.
Host plants
Checkered White caterpillars can only develop on their larval host plants. Plant one of these natives and you can host the full life cycle in your own yard (host plant associations per the Xerces Society (opens in new tab)).
- Cabbage (Brassica oleracea)
- Least Pepperwort (Lepidium virginicum)
- Cleome spinosa
- Capsella bursa-pastoris
Want Checkered White in your yard? Open Cabbage in Pollinator Patch and plan an HOA-friendly garden around it for your region.
Family
Pieridae
Wingspan
32–51 mm
Active
March through October
Range
TX, AZ, CO, ID and 27 more states
How to identify it
Look for white wings with black checkered edges, with females having more extensive black markings than males.
Good to know
- Females have more extensive black wing markings than males
- Larvae are known as cabbage white caterpillars and feed on mustard family plants
Common questions
- What do Checkered White caterpillars eat?
- Checkered White caterpillars feed on Brassica oleracea, Lepidium virginicum, Cleome spinosa, and Capsella bursa-pastoris. These are the larval host plants the caterpillars must have to develop, per the Xerces Society and host plant records compiled from GBIF and iNaturalist.
- Where do Checkered White live?
- Checkered White is found across TX, AZ, CO, ID and 27 more states.
- When are Checkered White active?
- Adult Checkered White are typically on the wing from March through October.
Range and life-history data compiled from iNaturalist, GBIF, and the Xerces Society. Photo licensed cc-by-nc.