Leptidea sinapis
This small, dainty white butterfly lives in self-contained colonies within flower-rich, woodland glades and rides. Even in flight it is fairly easy to identify, for it flies so slowly, that it is quite possible to identify the distinctive oval shape of the wings and the black wingtips of the males. When perched this species always keeps its wings firmly closed.
The first adults emerge in late April, or early May, and this first-brood flight period lasts for approximately two months. The second brood appears in early/mid-July and may be seen until late August, with the occasional straggler recorded into September.
This is a nationally-declining species and in Sussex it is confined to a small area in the north-west of the county. There is a large population of Wood Whites in the Chiddingfold Forest complex of woods, most of which is situated in Surrey.
Other than for the purposes of survey, it is probably advisable for butterfly enthusiasts to leave these tiny Sussex colonies alone and hop over the county border into Tugley Wood, Surrey where it is easy to see 40-50 Wood Whites, with no effort at all. Visit the Surrey woods between SU981342 and SU985335.
Elaborate courtship of Wood Whites – photo by Graham Hubbard
Nectaring on Greater Stitchwort – photo by Patrick Moore
Perched on flowerhead – photo by Graham Hubbard
Perched on flowerhead – photo by Graham Hubbard
Perched on flowerhead – photo by Graham Hubbard
Nectaring on Birdsfoot Trefoil – photo by Dave Brown
Butterfly Conservation Wood White
