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West Virginia White Pieris virginiensis W. H. Edwards, 1870 |
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Family: Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)
State Protection: Not Listed 
The species is not listed or protected by New York State. Federal Protection: Not Listed State Rarity Rank: S3
A State Rarity Rank of S3 means: Typically 21 to 100 occurrences, limited acreage, or miles of stream in New York State. Global Rarity Rank: G3?
A Global Rarity Rank of G3? means: Vulnerable globally (most likely) - Conservation status is uncertain, but most likely at moderate risk of extinction due to rarity or other factors; typically 80 or fewer populations or locations in the world, few individuals, restricted range, few remaining acres (or miles of stream), and/or recent and widespread declines. More information is needed to assign a firm conservation status. Did you know? The major foodplants for the caterpillars of West Virginia White butterflies are two species of toothwort (Dentaria diphylla and less often Dentaria laciniata), both are common northeastern early spring woodland wildlflowers. These may be the only foodplants in New york but in some other areas rock cress (Arabis laevigata) is also used. Females will lay eggs on then invasive garlic mustard but this plant is toxic to the larvae. |
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| State Ranking Justification | [-] |
Although it has been documented from 30 or more locations since the late 1990's, and additional locations are undoubtedly undocumented, this species is experiencing declines in substantial portions of its range. It appears to generally occur in small populations, depends on just two larval host plants, and is noted as not being a strong colonizer of new sites; all intrinsic factors that lead to vulnerability. The spread of garlic mustard, which is toxic to caterpillars, and the loss of foodplant populations in some areas due to overbrowsing by deer, are threats that will likely be very difficult to reduce.
| Short-term Trends | [-] |
Based on reported long term declines and extirpations in other parts of the species range, as well as the loss of some sites in New York since the 1950's (Shapiro 1974), it is reasonable to assume that declines are occurring, but there is little data on population sizes of individual colonies over time to support this assumption.
| Long-term Trends | [-] |
This species is declining, or has already declined or become extirpated, in some portions of its range. Shapiro (1974) noted that some populations in New York have apparently been extirpated since 1950, but the extent of an overall decline within the state is uncertain.
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Home | Advanced Search | About Us Animal Guides | Plant Guides | Community Guides © 2004-2012 New York Natural Heritage Program, a partnership between the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry Please cite this page as:
New York Natural Heritage Program. 2013. Online Conservation Guide for Pieris virginiensis. Available from: http://www.acris.nynhp.org/guide.php?id=7830. Accessed May 25th, 2013. 
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