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 73 - 96 of 3103 verified sightings
Observation date: Sep 26, 2023
Submitted by: baileyjt
Region: Alameda County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Sep 27, 2023
Observation date: Sep 03, 2023
Submitted by: mstanek
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Sep 07, 2023
Observation date: Aug 25, 2023
Submitted by: Sisraelit
Region: San Luis Obispo County, California, United States
Verified by: mcduck
Verified date: Sep 06, 2023
Observation date: Jun 24, 2023
Submitted by: billd
Region: Garfield County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: CA Ivy
Verified date: Sep 03, 2023
Observation date: Jul 23, 2023
Submitted by: Jon Kindschy
Region: Gunnison County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Sep 03, 2023
Observation date: Aug 21, 2023
Submitted by: hasfitz5
Region: Washoe County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Sep 01, 2023
Observation date: Sep 03, 2021
Submitted by: Marta Reece
Region: Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Aug 29, 2023
Observation date: Feb 24, 2023
Submitted by: bonfrey
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Aug 23, 2023
Observation date: Jul 08, 2020
Submitted by: Robb Hannawacker
Region: San Juan County, Utah, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Aug 21, 2023
Observation date: Jul 30, 2017
Submitted by: mhearell
Region: Box Elder County, Utah, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Aug 21, 2023
Observation date: Aug 05, 2023
Submitted by: Marta Reece
Region: Sierra County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Aug 21, 2023
Observation date: Aug 11, 2023
Submitted by: Adam Schneider
Region: Harney County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 20, 2023
Observation date: Aug 03, 2023
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: Mono County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 18, 2023
Observation date: Aug 06, 2023
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: Mono County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 16, 2023
Observation date: Aug 06, 2023
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: Mono County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 16, 2023
Observation date: Jul 30, 2023
Submitted by: DeepSkyKelly
Region: Union County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Aug 08, 2023
Observation date: Aug 05, 2023
Submitted by: Marta Reece
Region: Catron County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Aug 08, 2023
Observation date: Jul 31, 2023
Submitted by: natureali
Region: Mono County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 07, 2023
Observation date: Aug 05, 2023
Submitted by: TuTuponyrider
Region: Riley County, Kansas, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Aug 05, 2023
Observation date: Aug 03, 2023
Submitted by: DeepSkyKelly
Region: Quay County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Aug 04, 2023
Observation date: Jul 28, 2023
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 03, 2023
Observation date: Jul 22, 2023
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Yavapai County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Aug 01, 2023
Observation date: Jul 15, 2023
Submitted by: NikkiM
Region: Carbon County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jul 25, 2023
Observation date: Jun 30, 2023
Submitted by: bonfrey
Region: Colfax County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jul 23, 2023
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