A systematic and synonymic list of the Pieridae of Western Palearctic butterflies hyperlinked to the original descriptions (Lepidoptera, Papilionoidea)
Submitted: 07.iii.2026 | Accepted: 15.iii.2026 | Published online: 30.iii.2026.
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18986091
IntroductionThe family Pieridae includes species whose pale or vivid coloration has long attracted the attention of both scientists and collectors. The genus Colias offers a striking example, comprising highly colourful species that are especially prized by butterfly enthusiasts.
Pieridae also includes groups of species whose identification can sometimes be very difficult (for example, within the Pontia daplidice/edusa complex), or even impossible without recourse to genetic analyses.
Phylogenetic studies have consequently led to the splitting of several well-established species into multiple previously unrecognized entities. A well-known example is the division of Leptidea sinapis into three distinct species, L. sinapis, L. juvernica, and L. reali (Dincă et al. 2011). Examination of the genitalia allows sinapis to be separated from juvernica and reali, but it is ineffective for distinguishing between the latter two.
Phylogenetic studies have also led to taxonomic revisions among species associated with the Macaronesian fauna. Owing to the geographical isolation of several populations on individual islands, divergences in their genetic characters have in some cases been considered sufficient to recognize them as distinct species. As a result, the genera Gonepteryx (including cleobule, palmae, and maderensis), Pieris (with wollastoni and cheiranthi), and Euchloe (with hesperidum, grancanariensis, and eversi) have each seen an increase in the number of recognized species.
Despite these advances, several species groups continue to present substantial taxonomic difficulties, and the status of some taxa remains uncertain, whether they should be regarded as distinct species, subspecies, or evolutionary significant units (ESUs). This uncertainty applies, for example, to taxa such as Gonepteryx eversi, Euchloe pechi, and Zegris meridionalis.
Finally, the Pieris napi/bryoniae/adalwinda/maura/segonzaci/balcana complex is treated in this synonymic list according to the conclusions of Dapporto et al. (2022). All these taxa, whose habitus can sometimes be very distinctive, are undoubtedly closely related, and some occur in sympatry or parapatry. Multivoltinism further complicates identification, as different seasonal forms may occur and can sometimes be very similar.
All these cases are discussed in detail in Taymans & Cuvelier (2025).
Regular updates to a comprehensive systematic and synonymic reference list are therefore essential. A dynamic, continuously maintained list offers clear advantages over fixed, paper-based publications, which cannot be revised once issued and may become outdated relatively quickly as new taxonomic insights emerge.
ESU Z. meridionalis (Lederer, 1853)  |
Conclusion
This synonymic list offers a foundation for the taxonomy of Western Palearctic Pieridae.
By linking each name to its original description, it enhances transparency, accessibility, and historical accuracy. However, the list is not yet complete, and gaps remain in both hyperlinks and taxonomic data. Researchers, lepidopterists and enthusiasts are warmly invited to contribute by submitting missing hyperlinks, overlooked synonyms, or other relevant information.
Author contribution
Michel Taymans: conceptualisation, analysis, visualisation, writing - original draft, writing – review and editing.
Sylvain Cuvelier: analysis, validation, visualisation, writing – review and editing.
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