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White butterflies

28/08/2007 09:00:25

White butterflies of Britain

Green-veined white
Large white
Small white
Wood white
Orange tip
Marbled white

White butterflies in the UK

There are five relatively common species of white butterfly in the UK; Large white, Small white, Marbled white, Green-veined white and the Wood white (much rarer), and the Orange tip can also be considered as a white butterfly.

Large white

Large white butterflies, the largest of the UK's whites, fly from April to September, with 2-3 broods appearing during that time. The caterpillars are highly gregarious and can be considered as a pest for those growing brassicas (Mustard plants); Plant some nasturtiums if you want to see the caterpillars in late August. Female usually has 2 black spots on its forewing.
Common throughout Britain.

Green-veined white

Green-veined white butterflies fly from April or even earlier until as late as October. Usually occurs on the edge of woodland and in open country and moorland in damp areas.

Common throughout Britain.

small white

Small white butterflies fly from April or even earlier and as late as October. Favours open country. Like Large whites, considered a serious pest on cultivated brassicas.
Common throughout Britain.

wood white

This small butterfly is the rarest of Britain's white butterflies, the Wood white is found in small colonies across Southern Britain, and more common in Ireland, in light and coppiced woodland.

Flies in May & June, and can have a second brood in the south in July & August.

Orange tip butterflies

A rather ragged male Orange-tip butterfly.

Female Orange-tip butterfly.
Orange tip butterflies can also be considered as whites. They have a very distinctive orange patch on the top of their wings. They fly relatively early in the year (April-June) and are common across much of Britain. There are other white butterflies that occasionally occur as migrants such as the Bath white.

Marbled white

Marbled white butterflies fly from June to August, and is found on meadows, downland grass verges and coasts in most of England and Wales, except the north. One of the easiest of British butterflies to photograph, both for its calm habit and strong conrast in its patterns (makes it easier for autofocus.).

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