Butterflies at Home



Checkered White Butterfly

Checkered White Butterfly Coloration, Characteristics and Size

The Checkered White butterfly (Pontia protodice) features white wings populated with dark grayish-blue spots, and its body tends to have a bluish coloration.

It's normal size is in the 1.25" - 2.00" range.

Distribution and Habitat

The Checkered White is found is much of the United States, parts of Canada, and northern Mexico.

It likes open fields and roadsides where it visits a variety of flowers for nectar, and also mud puddles. It survives about a week as an adult.

Nectar and Host Plants Used by the Checkered White

Favorite host plants of the Checkered White include mustards, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Virginia peppergrass.

For nectar, it uses a variety of flowers, including Lantana.

Checkered White Butterfly Life Cycle Stages and Times

Stage Typical Duration
Egg stage 4 to 7 days
Caterpillar (larval) stage 2 to 4 weeks
Chrysalis (pupal) stage 8 to 14 days
Adult butterfly stage 6 to 10 days

 

Photos of Checkered White Butterflies

Checkered White Butterfly
Checkered White Butterfly

Checkered White Butterfly
Checkered White Butterfly

Checkered White Butterfly
Checkered White Butterfly

Checkered White Butterfly
Checkered White Butterfly enjoying Milkweed blooms

Checkered White Butterfly
Checkered White Butterfly