The Pieridae are a large family of butterflies from tropical Africa and tropical Asia with some varieties in the more northern regions of North America and Eurasia.

The word "butterfly" is from Old English buttorfleoge, possibly from the pale butter color of some species' wings.
The word "moth" is from Old English moððe from Common Germanic and German Motte meaning "moth".
The word "caterpillar" is from Middle English catirpel, catirpeller, probably an alteration of Old North French catepelose (from Latin cattus, "cat" + pilosus, "hairy").

Lepidoptera is a combination of two Greek words:
• Lepis (λεπίς): meaning "scale"
• Pteron (πτερόν): meaning "wing"

The literal meaning of Lepidoptera is "scaly wings."

Pieridae: Ancient Greek Πιερίς (Pieris, plural form Pierides) used as title for Muses, mythical gods for arts and poetry. They inhabit in the Mountain of Pieria, near the Olympus.