Large white vs Marbled white

These two are easy to mix up. Here's how to tell a large white from a marbled white, and whether either one bites or stings.

≠The key differences

Much plainer white wings with few black spots and different wing shape; not checkerboard patterned.

	Large white	Marbled white
To humans	Non-toxic	Non-toxic
Size	55-65 mm wingspan	45-55 mm wingspan (typically 46-52 mm)
Colours	White, Black, Pale yellow, Green (caterpillar)	White, Black, Light brown, Grey
Family	Pieridae	Nymphalidae
Habitat	Gardens, farmland, meadows, hedgerows and other open, flowery places near brassica plants	Unimproved meadows, flowery grassland, roadside verges, light woodland clearings and chalk downland
Range	Palearctic: widespread across Europe, North Africa and temperate Asia	Widespread across much of Europe (including southern Britain), extending east to Turkey, the Caucasus and northern Iran
Active	Spring to autumn; day-flying and most active in warm, sunny weather	Primarily June to August (peak in July); diurnal, most active on warm, sunny days
Pest?	Yes	No

Large white with 55-65 mm wingspan; bold black wingtips on forewings and two black spots on female forewings
Males lack the black forewing spots on the upperside (females have two)
Caterpillars are yellow and bluish-green with black spots and often feed in groups on brassica plants

Bold black-and-white checkerboard pattern on the upper wings; no other British or northern European butterfly looks like it
Rounded wings and a slow, bobbing flight often close to the ground
Underside paler with similar marbled pattern and faint buff or grey tones
Habitat: found in unimproved meadows and chalk grassland, rarely in tidy gardens

Much plainer white wings with few black spots and different wing shape; not checkerboard patterned.

Large white: Non-toxic. Marbled white: Non-toxic. Adults and caterpillars are not dangerous to people. Harmless to people.

Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.