The cabbage white butterfly belongs to which genus?

The cabbage white butterfly belongs to the genus Pieris.

The familiar cabbage white is Pieris rapae, a small white butterfly whose wings usually have dark markings near the tips. It is native to Europe and parts of Asia but has spread widely, including across North America, after being introduced there in the 19th century.

Pieris is a genus in the family Pieridae, the same family that includes sulphur and brimstone butterflies. The name can cause confusion because “cabbage white” is also used for related white butterflies, including the larger cabbage white, Pieris brassicae.

Caterpillars of Pieris rapae commonly feed on plants in the mustard family, especially cultivated cabbage, broccoli, and kale. Their association with garden crops explains the butterfly’s common name and why gardeners often regard its larvae as pests.