Cabbage White on Creeping Thistle

Yesterday afternoon, 12 September 2017, I just needed a short break from watching TV footage of all the devastation caused by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma in south-east U.S.. Decided to dash down to a wetland in SW Calgary, hoping to see a few birds. Half a dozen Coots and a Mallard were all I saw, but I was happy to catch this Cabbage White butterfly perched on (invasive) Creeping Thistle.

"Habitat: One of the most common butterflies, the Cabbage White was accidentally introduced in Quebec back in 1860 and has since spread across the entire country since. It is found throughout the entirety of Alberta.

Description: A very plain looking butterfly, it is mostly white with a few dark patches on its upper wing. Size: 40-50 mm

Diet: It is a huge pest to farmers, snacking on mustard family plants like broccoli, kale, cauliflower and of course, cabbage.

Fun Fact: The caterpillars can survive in soggy, oxygen-low environments and have been known to survive in the human digestive tract when accidently swallowed. Talk about butterflies in your stomach!"

Source:
Acorn, John. Butterflies of Alberta. Edmonton: Lone Pine Publishing, 1993. Print.