Giant White
Ganyra josephina (Godart, 1819)
Family: Pieridae
Subfamily: Pierinae
Identification: Large. Cell of upper forewing of male contains prominent round black spot. Wet-season female has black cell spot and also diffuse black postmedian spots. Veins outlined with black near wing margins. Dry-season female not so prominently marked.
Wing Span: 2 7/8 - 3 3/4 inches (7.3 - 9.6 cm).
Life History: Female lays single eggs on older host plant leaves, which the caterpillars then eat.
Flight: From September-December in south Texas.
Caterpillar Hosts: Trees in the caper (Capparidaceae) family.
Adult Food: Flower nectar including lantana, eupatorium, and bougainvilla.
Habitat: Open, dry, subtropical forests.
Range: South from south Texas through Mexico and Central America. A rare stray to Kansas and New Mexico.
Conservation: Not required for periodic stray.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None noted.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 25 - 48 of 69 verified sightings
Observation date: Jun 21, 2020
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Nov 30, 2022
Observation date: Aug 13, 2019
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Nov 30, 2022
Observation date: Aug 02, 2019
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Nov 30, 2022
Observation date: Jul 23, 2018
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Nov 30, 2022
Observation date: Jul 08, 2018
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Nov 30, 2022
Observation date: Aug 08, 2017
Submitted by: Charlie Doggett
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Nov 30, 2022
Observation date: Oct 16, 2022
Submitted by: Raul Delgado
Region: Texas, Webb County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Oct 17, 2022
Observation date: Nov 04, 2019
Submitted by: Paul Prappas
Region: Mexico
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Sep 19, 2022
Observation date: Sep 09, 2011
Submitted by: Roselvy Juárez
Region: Ahuachapán, El Salvador
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Sep 10, 2022
Observation date: Oct 12, 2013
Submitted by: Glynjer
Region: Colón Province, Panama
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Aug 29, 2022
Observation date: Mar 04, 2018
Submitted by: Reiner Jakubowski
Region: Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Jul 25, 2022
Observation date: Nov 16, 2021
Submitted by: Craig M Lipski
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 18, 2021
Observation date: Nov 02, 2019
Submitted by: Mark Salvato
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Sep 11, 2021
Observation date: Nov 01, 2019
Submitted by: wallap74
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 11, 2019
Observation date: Oct 20, 2004
Submitted by: hydapse
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Feb 12, 2019
Observation date: Nov 06, 2018
Submitted by: hiker96
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 21, 2018
Observation date: Nov 10, 2017
Submitted by: wallap74
Region: Cameron County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Dec 31, 2017
Observation date: Dec 05, 2017
Submitted by: Paul Prappas
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Dec 07, 2017
Observation date: Nov 20, 2013
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jun 04, 2015
Observation date: Jun 17, 2014
Submitted by: LLJohnson
Region: Dominican Republic
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: Aug 01, 2014
Observation date: May 06, 2014
Submitted by: LLJohnson
Region: Dominican Republic
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: May 08, 2014
Observation date: Sep 02, 2008
Submitted by: plex1ppus
Region: Yucatan, Mexico
Verified by: John van Dort
Verified date: May 03, 2013
Observation date: Feb 14, 2013
Submitted by: Doug Taron
Region: Jalisco, Mexico
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: Feb 19, 2013
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: BAMONA
Region:
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Sep 06, 2010
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