This guy, the great southern white butterfly, could be coming to a wedding near you. The great southern, known to the scientific community as Ascia monsute, is one of the most commonly used butterflies for releases at weddings. Can't say that we've seen that first hand, don't have a clue as to why, but if it's on the internet, it must be true.

It does make a certain sense if you think about it. The great southern looks white as it flutters about (less so when perched on a leaf) and it is among the more common butterflies in Florida. Perched on a leaf with its wings fold up, however, the great white reminds us of the inside of an oyster shell, with its subtle hues.

It's a relatively large butterfly, with a wingspan that can exceed three inches. Males and females are the same size; males are mostly white with a black edge along the apex of the forewing; in the dry season, females are similar. In the wet season, they become much, much darker. One cool feature of the great southern: the torquoise clubs atop their attenna, easily seen in the photograph at the left.

The southeastern United States is the northern most point of the range of this butterfly. Great southern whites can be found along the south Atlantic and Gulf coasts into Mexico, through the Caribbean, Central America and into South America. Great southern whites have been known to stray occasionally as far north as Maryland and as far west as Colorado.