Photo © Pete Eeles

Wood White

Leptidea sinapis

Checklist Number
58.001 [B&F: 1541]

Verification
Record will require further evidence, at least a good photograph, unless CMR is aware recorder has confidence in identification

Classification

Family:Pieridae
Subfamily:Dismorphiinae
Genus:Leptidea
Species:sinapis
Authority:(Linnaeus, 1758)

An endangered Red Data Book species, in woodland clearings, woodland edges, undercliffs and scrub; 0-300 m (0-1900 m in Europe) in southern England, where declining, and parts of Ireland, where still widespread; mainland Europe and Scandinavia. Not recorded in Hampshire or on the Isle of Wight in recent years. Wingspan 36-48 mm. Indistinguishable in the field from Real's Wood White, from which separable only by dissection of the genitalia. Larva feeds on Meadow Vetchling, Bitter Vetchling, Tufted Vetch, Bird's-foot Trefoil and Greater Bird's-foot Trefoil.