The Checkered White is a species of common small to medium size butterflies found across the United States. The male Checkered White has an almost entirely white wing, peppered with brown-black spots on the top half of his wing. The female’s wings have more dark patterns on their wings to help them attract males. They are still predominantly white.

 

“Checkered White” by Ken Slade, licensed under (CC BY-NC 2.0)

 

Checkered White Facts

Butterfly Family: Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Pierinae

Butterfly Wingspan: 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Wide variety of sites including dry weedy areas, vacant lots, fields, pastures, sandy areas, railroad beds, and roads

 

Checkered White Host and Nectar Plants

Host Plants:

• Plants in the Mustard Family
  • Cabbage
  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower
  • Shepherd’s Purse
  • Prairie Peppergrass
  • Poor Man’s Pepper
  • Yellow Rocket
  • Tower Rock Cress
• Rocky Mountain Bee Plant

Nectar Plants:

• Dandelion
• Clover
• Fogfruit
• Buttonbush
• Pincushion Plant
• Lanceleaf Gumweed
• Blanket Flower
• Mustards
• Alfalfa