List of butterflies of India (Pieridae)

The article is a list of the pierid butterflies of India. It forms part of the full list of butterflies of India.

The family Pieridae, or the Whites and Yellows are a family of butterflies of moderate or small size. The common names refer to the two predominant colours found on the wings of these butterflies along with markings in black.

Of the 1051 species of pierids occurring in the world, 81 species in 21 genera are found in India.

The Common Jezebel (Delias eucharis), is a brightly coloured pierid found in South Asia.

Distinguishing features

Classification

Worldwide, the family Pieridae has four subfamilies, of which the Whites and the Yellows are well represented in India.

Subfamily Pierinae, The Whites

Genus Aporia, The Blackveins

Genus Baltia, The Dwarfs

Genus Pieris, The Whites

Genus Pontia, The Bath Whites

Genus Anaphaeis, The Pioneers

Genus Cepora, The Gulls

Genus Ixias, The Indian Orange Tips

Genus Delias, The Jezebels

Genus Prioneris, The Sawtooths

Genus Appias, The Puffins and Albatrosses

Genus Leptosia, The Psyche

Genus Euchloe, The Little Whites

Genus Hebomoia, The Great Orange Tip

Genus Colotis, The Arabs

Genus Pareronia, The Wanderers

Subfamily Coliadinae, The Yellows

Genus Catopsilia, The Emigrants

Genus Gonepteryx, The Brimstones

Genus Dercas, The Sulphurs

Genus Eurema, The Grass Yellows

Genus Gandaca, The Tree Yellow

Genus Colias, The Clouded Yellows

Life cycle

Food plants

The foodplants vary considerably, however there is a general trend, in that the Whites mostly use Capers, (family Capparidaceae) while the Yellows usually prefer members of the family Leguminosae, which consist of peas, clover, Cassia and others.

References

External links

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