  the small white (pieris rapae) is a small- to medium-sized butterfly species of the yellows-and-whites family pieridae. it is also known as the small cabbage white and in new zealand, simply as white butterfly. the names "cabbage butterfly" and "cabbage white" can also refer to the large white. the butterfly can be distinguished by the white color with small black dots on its wings. they are distinguished from the smaller size and lack of the black band at the tip of their forewings. it is widespread and populations are found across europe, north africa, asia, and great britain. it has also been accidentally introduced to north america, australia and new zealand. the caterpillar of this species is seen as a pest for commercial agriculture. often referred to as the "imported cabbageworm" they are a serious pest to cabbage and other mustard family crops. ==description==  in appearance it looks like a smaller version of the large white (pieris brassicae). the upperside is creamy white with black tips on the forewings. females also have two black spots in the center of the forewings. its underwings are yellowish with black speckles. it is sometimes mistaken for a moth due to its plain appearance. the wingspan of adults is roughly 32â47&nbsp;mm (1.25â2&nbsp;in).http://www.cbif.gc.ca/spp_pages/butterflies/species/cabbagewhite_e.php ==distribution and habitat== the species has a natural range across europe, asia, and north africa. it was accidentally introduced to quebec, canada around 1860 and spread rapidly throughout north america. the species has spread to all of north american life zones from lower austral/lower sonoran to canada.{{cite book|last=scott|first=james a.|title=the butterflies of north ame
British_butterflies Butterflies_of_Africa Butterflies_of_Canada Butterflies_of_Indochina Butterflies_of_the_United_States IUCN_Red_List_least_concern_species Insects_described_in_1758 Insects_of_Hawaii Insects_of_Iceland Lepidoptera_of_Asia Lepidoptera_of_Europe Lepidoptera_of_New_Zealand Lepidoptera_of_North_America Lepidoptera_of_Oceania Pieris_(butterfly)