LEPIDOPTERA. 
38* 
Family PiERlD^E (Pi-er'i-dae). 
The Pierids (. Pi-cr'ids ). 
These butterflies are usually of medium size, but some of 
them are small; they are nearly always white, yellow, or 
orange, and are usually marked with black. They are the 
most abundant of all our butterflies, being common every¬ 
where in fields and roads. Some species are so abundant as 
to be serious pests, the larvae feeding on cultivated plants. 
The characteristic features of the venation of the wings 
are the following (Fig. 460): Vein V a of the fore wings is 
more closely connected 
with radius than with 
cubitus, the latter appear¬ 
ing to be three-branched; 
vein V, of the fore wings 
coalesces with radius for 
a considerable distance 
beyond the apex of the 
discal cell; and only three 
or four of the branches 
of radius remain distinct. 
In this family the fore 
legs are well developed in 
both sexes, there being no 
tendency to their reduc¬ 
tion in size, as in the two 
following families. 
The larvae are usual¬ 
ly slender green worms 
clothed with short, fine 
hairs; the well-known Cabbage-worms are typical illus¬ 
trations (Fig. 461). The chrysalids are supported by the 
tail and by a loose girth around the middle. They may be 
distinguished at a glance by the presence of a single pointed 
projection in front (Fig. 461). 
Fig. 460.—Wings of Pontia protodice . 
