Checkered White
Pontia protodice (Boisduval & Leconte, [1830])
Family: Pieridae
Subfamily: Pierinae
Identification: Upperside of male forewing has black checkered pattern on outer half. Female is more heavily patterned, but markings are more brown and diffuse. Hindwing of both male and female white. Underside of male hindwing with pale checkered pattern. Underside of female with yellow-tan markings on hindwing and tip of forewing. Short-day form has underside hindwing veins with heavy gray-green outlines.
Wing Span: 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 inches (3.8 - 6.3 cm).
Life History: Males patrol flats seeking receptive females, who lay eggs singly on leaves and flowers of host plants. Buds, flowers, and fruits are favorite foods of caterpillars, but they will also eat leaves. A short-day form appears in spring and fall. Chrysalids hibernate.
Flight: Three flights, with a partial 4th in the South, from March-November.
Caterpillar Hosts: Plants in the mustard family (Brassicaceae) including cabbage (Brassica oleraceae); and caper family (Capparidaceae) including Rocky Mountain bee-plant (Cleome serrulata).
Adult Food: Flower nectar including hedge mustards, composites, and alfalfa.
Habitat: Wide variety of sites including dry weedy areas, vacant lots, fields, pastures, sandy areas, railroad beds, and roads.
Range: Permanent resident in southern United States and northern Mexico; temporary in northern United States and southern Canada. Does not occur in most of New England.
Conservation: Not required.
NCGR: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might 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 3098 verified sightings
Observation date: May 04, 2024
Submitted by: pkmcp
Region: Brown County, Texas, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: May 12, 2024
Observation date: Apr 18, 2024
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Clark County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 10, 2024
Observation date: May 07, 2024
Submitted by: Erik Stabl
Region: Hillsborough County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 08, 2024
Observation date: Jul 13, 2019
Submitted by: tiki33wv
Region: Ouray County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: May 07, 2024
Observation date: May 07, 2024
Submitted by: johnmark.lowry
Region: Dallas County, Texas, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: May 07, 2024
Observation date: Apr 29, 2024
Submitted by: Arden K. Powell
Region: Texas, Uvalde County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: May 05, 2024
Observation date: Apr 04, 2024
Submitted by: rkw9000
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: May 04, 2024
Observation date: Apr 23, 2024
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: Texas, Nueces County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Apr 30, 2024
Observation date: Apr 23, 2024
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: Texas, Nueces County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Apr 29, 2024
Observation date: Apr 23, 2024
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: Texas, Nueces County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Apr 29, 2024
Observation date: Apr 26, 2024
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: Texas, San Patricio County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Apr 29, 2024
Observation date: Apr 26, 2024
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: Aransas County, Texas, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Apr 29, 2024
Observation date: Apr 27, 2024
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: Texas, Nueces County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Apr 29, 2024
Observation date: Apr 08, 2024
Submitted by: DeepSkyKelly
Region: Sevier County, Arkansas, United States
Verified by: CA Ivy
Verified date: Apr 15, 2024
Observation date: Apr 03, 2024
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: San Luis Obispo County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 04, 2024
Observation date: Mar 05, 2024
Submitted by: jamesvonloh
Region: Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Mar 14, 2024
Observation date: Oct 06, 2023
Submitted by: bonfrey
Region: Eddy County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Feb 19, 2024
Observation date: May 29, 2023
Submitted by: bonfrey
Region: Socorro County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Feb 08, 2024
Observation date: May 28, 2023
Submitted by: bonfrey
Region: Sierra County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Feb 02, 2024
Observation date: May 27, 2023
Submitted by: bonfrey
Region: Socorro County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Feb 01, 2024
Observation date: May 14, 2023
Submitted by: bonfrey
Region: Socorro County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jan 31, 2024
Observation date: Jul 16, 2023
Submitted by: stevecary
Region: Rio Grande County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jan 11, 2024
Observation date: Apr 29, 2023
Submitted by: bonfrey
Region: Socorro County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jan 04, 2024
Observation date: May 13, 2023
Submitted by: bonfrey
Region: Socorro County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jan 04, 2024
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