A-Z of butterflies

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Wood White - Photograph by Jim AsherNBN Map - Wood WhiteMap courtesy of National Biodiversity Network (NBN)

Wood White

Rare in south England and the Burren region of western Ireland. A small butterfly with a dainty flight, usually found in woodland glades or scrub. Upperwings white with rounded edges. Males have black mark on edge of forewing. Undersides white with indistinct grey markings.

Resident

Range declining in Britain, probably stable in Ireland.

The Wood White is a delicate, slow-flying butterfly usually encountered in sheltered situations, such as woodland rides or scrub edges. The males fly almost continuously in fine weather, patrolling to find a mate, whereas females spend much of their time feeding on flowers or resting. In the characteristic courtship display the male lands opposite the female and waves his head and antennae backwards and forwards with his proboscis extended.

The butterfly has declined seriously in England and Wales. In Ireland it has so far been found only in the Burren, whilst its sister species, Real's Wood White, is widespread and has expanded northwards in recent decades.

Conservation status

  • UK BAP status: Priority Species
  • Butterfly Conservation priority: high
  • European threat status: not threatened
  • Protected in Great Britain for sale only

European/world range

Widespread in Europe as far as 66B:N in Scandinavia and eastwards to the Caucasus Mountains and Siberia. In some countries it overlaps with a very similar species, Leptidea reali, which can be distinguished only by differences in genitalia. It has declined in a few European countries.

Foodplants

Various legumes are used, commonly Meadow Vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis), Bitter-vetch (L. linifolius), Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca), Common Bird's-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), and Greater Bird's-foot-trefoil (L. pedunculatus). (Note that some vetches are not used, notably Bush Vetch, V. sepium, and Common Vetch, V. sativa).

Habitat

The Wood White breeds in tall grassland or light scrub in partially shaded or edge habitats. In Britain, most colonies breed in woodland rides and clearings, though a few large colonies occur on coastal undercliffs. A few smaller colonies occur on disused railway lines and around rough, overgrown field edges (for example in north Devon). In Ireland, more open habitats are used, often far from woodland, including rough grassland with scrub, road verges, hedges, and disused railway lines.