Features: The West Virginia White (Pieris virginiensis) is one of the first native butterflies to fly in spring. It lives in moist, deciduous woodlands, and the larvae feed only on the leaves of toothwort (Dentaria diphylla; Dentaria X maxima), which is a small, spring-blooming plant of the forest floor.

Status: Special Concern Provincially

Range: The West Virginia White occurs from Quebec and Ontario south through New England and the Appalachian region to Georgia. Although common in parts of its United States range, the species is rare in Ontario, where it is known from about 50 sites. The majority of sites in the province are in central and southern Ontario, however, it also extends northward through Manitoulin and St. Joseph islands. The largest populations are in the western Lake Ontario region. Range Maps

Threats: The West Virginia White was probably never common in Ontario. Habitat destruction has been responsible for the loss of some sites.

Protection: This species was officially listed as endangered by the Province of Ontario in 1977, but in 1990, after a review of its distribution and abundance, its status was changed to vulnerable. The species is afforded protection in some sites which are on public land.

Text Sources: Pyle 1981; Holmes et al. 1991

Last Modified Date: February 2005