Introduction
There are 6 Sinopieris species – dubernardi, davidis, stoetzneri, venata, kozlovi and sherpae. All were originally included in Pieris, but were separated from that genus in 1995 by Huang. The most obvious characteristic for distinguishing between the two genera is the venation in the apical area of the forewing but there are also differences in pattern. Most Sinopieris species have a suffused grey or blackish post-discal band visible on both surfaces of both wings. Pieris however usually have a pair of blackish post-discal spots on the forewings ( a single spot in males ), and no trace of any spot or band on the hindwings.
Apart from the Nepalese endemic sherpae, all Sinopieris species are confined to China or Tibet.
Sinopieris dubernardi is the most widespread species, being found in s.e. Tibet and in the Chinese provinces of Gansu, Shaanxi, Yunnan and Sichuan.
Habitats
This species inhabits grassland plateaux and mountainsides at elevations above 2000m.
Lifecycle
The larval foodplants do not appear to be recorded.
Adult behaviour
Males imbibe mineralised moisture from damp ground, either solitarily or in mixed aggregations with various Pieris and Aporia species.