The Pieridae are a large family of butterflies. They are characterised by mainly white or yellow coloration, often with black spots. The sexes usually differ, often in the pattern or number of the black markings.
The larvae (caterpillars) of some of these species feed on brassicas, and are agricultural pests.
The Pieridae are usually divided into four subfamilies, as follows:
- Dismorphiinae (6 genera)
- Pseudopontiinae (monotypic)
- Pierinae (55 genera)
- Coliadinae (14 genera)
This gives 76 genera all told. Over 1000 species are currently recognised in the family.
Some species:
- Anthocharis cardamines phoenissa, Anthocharis cardamines phoenissa
- Arctic White, Pieris angelika
- Brimstone, Gonepteryx rhamni
- California dogface butterfly, Zerene eurydice
- Catalina Orangetip, Anthocharis cethura catalina
- Cloudless Sulphur, Phoebis sennae
- Clouded Yellow , Colias croceus
- Desert Orangetip, Anthocharis cethura cethura
- Eastern Orange Tip, Anthocharis damone
- Falcate Orangetip, Anthocharis midea
- Green-striped White, Euchloe belemia
- Green-veined White, Pieris napi
- Grüner's Orange Tip, Anthocharis gruneri
- Large White, Pieris brassicae
- Margined White, Pieris marginalis marginalis
- Mexican Orangetip, Anthocharis limonea
- Morocco Orange Tip, Anthocharis belia
- Mustard White, Pieris oleracea oleracea
- Newfoundland White, Pieris oleracea frigida
- Orange Tip, Anthocharis cardamines
- Provence Orange Tip, Anthocharis euphenoides
- Reichel's Margined White, Pieris marginalis reicheli
- Sara's Orangetip, Anthocharis sara sara
- Small White, Pierris rapae
- Southern Rocky Mountain Orangetip, Anthocharis julia
- Southwestern Orangetip, Anthocharis thoosa
- Stella Orangetip, Anthocharis stella stella
- Utah Stella Orangetip, Anthocharis stella browningi
- Yellow Tip, Anthocharis scolymus
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