new hostplant for cabbage whites?

cappaert at comcast.net cappaert at comcast.net
Mon Jul 18 06:50:17 EDT 2011


Grace - Cabbage whites readily oviposit also on Lobularia, an ornamental that is a crucifer. I haven't confirmed yet that they develop fully 
--David 

----- Original Message -----
From: "Grace Jeschke" <gjeschke at gmail.com> 
To: "CT Butterfly" <ctleps-l at lists.yale.edu> 
Sent: Saturday, July 16, 2011 10:32:07 AM 
Subject: new hostplant for cabbage whites? 

I've been missing the wonderful CBA walks because I've moved back to Philadelphia, where my family is. Fortunately, I've been having a few butterfly adventures of my own, mostly involving caterpillars. This morning my mother noticed 7 mostly late-instar Cabbage White caterpillars devouring an isolated Cleome hassleriana plant. I have some photos if anyone is interested. 


My field guide puts Cleome in Capparaceae, but according to Wikipedia, they are more closely related to Brassicaceae. Is this a case of 'a cabbage white will eat anything that looks remotely like a crucifer' or is it more interesting than that? 


Thanks for your input (and sharing your own lep-related adventures). 


Grace 
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