Caterpillars of Phoebis philea can cause damage to leaves, flowers and pods of Senna, Cassia, Caesalpinia pulcherrima and Pithecellobium spp. The species is, however, not known as a plant pest. Establishment of the species in the Netherlands is unlikely due to the outdoor climate and limited occurrence of host plants in commercial glasshouses. The species is present in the EU in tropical butterfly houses. The risk of the species for plant health is assessed low.