Does the cabbage white live in my area? (chances are, yes)
(see all the countries where the cabbage white can be found)

Step 1. Catch a butterfly

First, you might need a butterfly net, unless you are as stealthy as a ninja and have quick fingers (it is possible, but a net or jar makes it easier). Luckily, this butterfly is one of the easiest to catch.

1a. You need something to catch them with

Places people have found cabbage whites - send us your photos

1b. Find the butterflies - they are pretty much everywhere

Luckily, these butterflies are found across most of the US, as well as Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Northern Africa, Russia and Europe (they are believed to have originated in Europe). Not only have they invaded almost every corner of the globe, they can be observed flying around for most of spring, summer and fall (and in some places, even in "winter"). However, there are some places where they are more likely to be found. Cabbage whites get their name because, as caterpillars they eat cabbage plants, but they also eat many other species of plants in the cabbage family, include mustard, kale, radish, and broccoli (an many others). If their food is nearby, they probably are too.

1c. Catch the butterflies - this is easiest when they are "puddling" or "nectaring"

  1. One of the easiest ways to catch butterflies is to catch them when they are "puddling." Male butterflies need nutrients not found in nectar and often get these nutrients from puddles or scat (poop an animal left in the road). Also, when butterflies are feeding from flowers (a behavior called "nectaring") they often stay still for a few seconds, and this is usually a good time to try to catch them.
Picture
photo by Flikr user Maja Dumat through a Creative Commons license

Step 3. Make sure you have a cabbage white

Adults
  • Mostly white in color
  • Usually black tips on front (fore) wings
  • Almost the same size as those in the pictures to the right

Larvae
  • Green and velvety in appearance
  • Older larvae have a yellow line running down their back (this line may be broken in younger larvae)
  • Can usually be found on plants in the mustard family
Picture
Male - one spot
Picture
Female - two spots
Picture
Caterpillar - check your garden
Picture
Eggs - often laid singly on the underside of leaves
photos by Dennis Walker

Step 4. Store the butterfly

This can be done in a butterfly envelope

You can:
Buy a special envelope (glassine envelope) or make your own (it's easy)

You need a butterfly envelope

Step 4. Record critical information

  • Date caught: month / day / year
  • Location (closest approximation - cross street, county, state or preferably GPS coordinates if you have them - use your phone to get your coordinates - click here to learn how)
  • If butterflies were caught in separate locations and/or on different days, record the information on each envelope separately

Step 5. Place the butterflies in the freezer overnight

This is a humane way to euthanize the butterflies, which is something we have to do in order to collect DNA from them. As long as you are taking only a few butterflies (5-10) from your area, your collecting  should not have a negative impact on the species.

AVOID FREEZE-THAW CYCLES (ONLY PUT SPECIMENS IN THE FREEZER ONCE). IF YOU ARE NOT READY TO SEND THEM YOU CAN LEAVE THEM IN THE FREEZER UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO SHIP. GOING FROM FROZEN TO THAWED MULTIPLE TIMES WILL SHEAR THE DNA INTO VERY SMALL FRAGMENTS, WHICH IS VERY BAD.

After taking them out of the freezer, let them dry in their envelopes somewhere where they won't be in direct sunlight and where there is NO moisture. The key is to let them dry quickly, so mold doesn't grow on them while they dry out. If left in their envelopes and placed on some paper towels for 3-4 days at room temperature (~20°C or 70°F) should be good enough to dry them out. (No need to heat them, this is bad for DNA as well.)   

Now they are good to ship =)

Step 6. Send us your butterflies

ATTN: Dr. Sean Ryan
717 Carlisle Way
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
If possible please send the butterflies in a crush-proof container - either a small package or place the butterflies in a CD case, small tin box, Tupperware container, etc. (be creative) to avoid them getting squished

Step 7. Check our map for areas where the cabbage white has not yet been collected and see if you can find some (but remember, we also need new collections every year in order to track how this butterfly changes through time, so we also need them areas that have been sampled in the past)

If you can't find any in your area, let us know here. Knowing where this butterfly does not live is also helpful.

Did you see a butterfly but couldn't (or didn't want to collect it? Submit your observations on our iNaturalist page! here