Madeiran Large White
Pieris wollastoni
The Madeiran large white was a subspecies of the large white butterfly, endemic to Madeira. It was described by the English entomologist, Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1886.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madeiran_large_white
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Pieridae
Genus
Pieris
Madeiran Large White belongs to the family Pieridae, order Lepidoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
The Madeiran large white was a subspecies of the large white butterfly, endemic to Madeira. It was described by the English entomologist, Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1886.
The Madeiran Large White is critically endangered due to severe habitat loss and degradation on the island of Madeira, where its native laurel forest ecosystem has been extensively cleared for agriculture and development. The species is also threatened by invasive plant species that have altered the composition of remaining forest patches, reducing the availability of its host plants.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Endemic to Madeira and found in the northern valleys of the laurel forest.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Madeiran Large White is critically endangered due to severe habitat loss and degradation on the island of Madeira, where its native laurel forest ecosystem has been extensively cleared for agriculture and development. The species is also threatened by invasive plant species that have altered the composition of remaining forest patches, reducing the availability of its host plants.
Agricultural expansion
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Invasive plant species
Climate change impacts
Urban development
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | CRCritically Endangered | CRCritically Endangered | Same |
| EU | CRCritically Endangered | CRCritically Endangered | Same |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Madeiran Large White (Pieris wollastoni). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/madeiran-large-white