Green-striped white

The Green-striped white (Euchloe belemia) is a butterfly species within the family Pieridae, order Lepidoptera. While primarily studied for its ecological role in arid regions of North Africa and Southern Europe, it is recognized as a potential pest of agricultural crops, particularly when indigenous host plants are replaced by cultivated crucifers.

The primary host plants for this species belong to the Brassicaceae family. The larvae feed on the foliage, buds, and flowers of wild and cultivated species, including mustard, rapeseed, and various cabbage varieties. In areas where these crops are cultivated on a large scale, the pest can cause noticeable damage during its peak larval development stages.

The life cycle involves complete metamorphosis, including egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages. The female butterfly lays eggs on the leaves of host plants. The larvae, which are the main destructive stage, emerge and feed voraciously. After completing their growth, the larvae pupate in protected sites, often remaining in a dormant state until the next favorable environmental cycle.

Larval feeding causes significant damage by defoliating the host plants, which limits photosynthetic efficiency. If the larvae attack the flower stalks or inflorescences, they can destroy the potential seed yield. High populations can cause rapid stunting and crop failure in young plant stands, leading to significant economic losses for growers.

Protection and control measures focus on integrated pest management (IPM) practices:

• Monitoring fields during the early spring growth stage for larvae presence.
• Removing cruciferous weeds that serve as alternative hosts during the off-season.
• Rotating crops to prevent population buildup in specific areas.
• Applying biological controls or targeted insecticides when the economic injury level is reached.