Wednesday, 15 February 2012
Small White Butterfly
Scientific Name:
Artogeia rapae
Also Known As:
Cabbage White
Wingspan (mm):
38-57mm Description
A similar smaller version of the Large White butterfly. The upperside is creamy white with black tips to the forewings. Females also have two black spots in the center of the forewings. Its underwings are yellow and greyish white.
Distribution
The Small White is a highly mobile species and each year the resident population is boosted by individuals flying in from mainland Europe. It is a common visitor to gardens where it breeds on brassicas and Nasturtium, though it relies less on cultivated brassica crops than the Large White and breeds on a range of wild foodplants. Adult butterflies are attracted to white flowers where they feed and on which they are well camouflaged when roosting. This is a common and widespread species.
Habitat
It occurs in almost any habitat but is most plentiful in gardens and fields where brassica crops are grown. Large numbers may congregate in fields of Oil-seed Rape. Elsewhere, it is found in smaller numbers especially in sheltered places such as hedgerows and field and wood edges where wild crucifers occur.
Diet
Cultivated brassicas are used, especially cabbages, and Nasturtium in gardens. Wild crucifers, including Wild Cabbage, Charlock, Hedge Mustard, Garlic Mustard, Hoary Cress, and Wild Mignonette are used to a lesser extent.
Status
UK BAP status: not listed Butterfly Conservation priority: low European threat status: not threatened