Pearly Marble (Euchloe hyantis [W. H. Edwards])
Wing span: 1 1/4 - 1 3/4 inches (3.2 - 4.5 cm).
Identification: Upperside of forewing with cell bar very close to edge of wing. Cell bar usually devoid of white scales. Underside pearly white; hindwing with green marbling.
Life history: Males patrol near host plants or on hilltops for receptive females. Eggs are laid singly on host plant leaves; flowers and fruits are the preferred food of the caterpillars. Chrysalids hibernate.
Flight: One flight from March-June.
Caterpillar hosts: Plants in the mustard (Brassicaceae) family including rock cress (Arabis), peppergrass (Lepidium), tansymustard (Descurainia), and jewel flower (Streptanthus) species.
Adult food: Flower nectar including that of hosts and others such as phloxes.
Habitat: Deserts, rocky canyons, hills, ridges, open woodlands.
Range: Baja California north to British Columbia, east to Colorado and New Mexico.
Conservation: Subspecies andrewsi (San Bernardino Mountains, California) is a population of concern. Other geographically limited populations are phenotypically distinct.
Management needs: Manage habitat with host plants.
The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: Euchloe hyantis andrewsi has The Nature Conservancy Global Rank of T1.
