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Desert white (Pontia glauconome)
Desert white fact file
- Description
- Biology
- Range
- Habitat
- Status
- Threats
- Conservation
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- Glossary
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Desert white description
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Pieridae |
| Genus | Pontia (1) |
A beautiful, striking white butterfly of arid regions of North Africa and Asia (2) (3), the desert white (Pontia glauconome) is a member of the Pieridae family, also known as the true butterflies, which comprises around 1,100 species worldwide. Most members of this family are white or yellow and are characterised by medium size, fully functional forelegs, and the forked claws on the tips of the legs. They also have pigments in the wings that either reflect or absorb ultraviolet light, such that the wings produce a variety of attractive patterns (4) (5). The caterpillars are generally green and lack hairs or spines (4). The Pieridae fly in a straight, steady fashion without any glides and close the wings while at rest (6).
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Desert white biology
Little has been documented on the biology of the desert white, but it is thought that the ultraviolet pattern on the wings is used by the male and female desert white to identify the opposite sex during courtship. Like many other Pierids, the male desert white probably patrols in search of receptive females, with the female laying round, elongated eggs on leaves, buds or stems after mating (4). The caterpillar is known to feed on the leaves of shrubs, including Zilla spinosa and Ochradenus baccatus (2), and the adult is likely to visit flowers to feed on nectar (5). The desert white flies between March and October, during which time it produces three generations, each of which differ greatly in appearance (2) (3).
TopDesert white range
The desert white is a widespread species, ranging from North Africa through Arabia and the Middle East to Central Asia, Afghanistan and Pakistan (2) (3).
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Species with a similar range
Desert white habitat
Inhabiting arid regions, the desert white occurs in deserts and on mountain slopes and foothills with sparse vegetation, up to around 1,500 metres above sea level (2) (3).
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Species found in a similar habitat
Desert white status
The desert white has yet to be classified by the IUCN.
TopDesert white threats
It is not known if there are any major threats to the desert white.
TopDesert white conservation
The desert white has not been the target of any known conservation measures.
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Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi is a principal sponsor of ARKive. EAD is working to protect and conserve the environment as well as promoting sustainable development in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. |
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View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre. |
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References
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Species 2000 and ITIS Catalogue of Life (January, 2010)
http://www.catalogueoflife.org/ - Katbeh-Bader, A., Amr, Z.S. and Isma’el, S. (1998) The butterflies of Jordan. Journal of Research on the Lepidopteran, 37: 11-26.
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Russian-Insects.com – Desert white (January, 2010)
http://rusinsects.com/p-glau.htm -
Idaho Museum of Natural History – Pieridae (January, 2010)
http://imnh.isu.edu/digitalatlas/bio/insects/butrfly/fampier/fampie.htm -
Butterflies and Moths of North America – Pieridae (January, 2010)
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/taxonomy?f=15&sci=Pieridae&com=Whites%20and%20Sulphurs - Scott, J.A. (1992) The Butterflies of North America: A Natural History and Field Guide. Stanford University Press, Palo Alto, California.
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This species is featured in:
This species is featured in Jewels of the UAE, which showcases biodiversity found in the United Arab Emirates in association with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi.
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Image credit
Desert white feeding on nectar from flower
© Yuri Peress (www.pbase.com/yuri_p)
Yuri Peress
Jerusalem
Israel
Tel: 972-54-5552635
yuri-p@bezeqint.net
http://yuri-peress.fineartamerica.com/
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