David Element
Wildlife Photography and Digital Video Images
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Butterflies 81 – Small Whites
SMALL WHITE BUTTERFLY Pieris rapae
(f)
SMALL WHITE BUTTERFLY Pieris rapae
(f)
SMALL WHITE BUTTERFLY Pieris rapae
(f)
SMALL WHITE BUTTERFLY Pieris rapae
(f)
SMALL WHITE BUTTERFLY Pieris rapae
(f)
SMALL WHITE BUTTERFLY Pieris rapae
(f)
SMALL WHITE BUTTERFLY Pieris rapae
(f)
SMALL WHITE BUTTERFLY Pieris rapae
(f)
SMALL WHITE BUTTERFLY Pieris rapae
(f)
SMALL WHITE BUTTERFLIES Pieris rapae (m, f)
SMALL WHITE
BUTTERFLIES Pieris rapae (m, f)
·
The Small White Butterfly Pieris rapae is one of two British butterfly species often
lumped together under the generic title of “Cabbage Whites” as their
larvae may cause significant damage to brassica crops, the other being the Large
White Butterfly P. brassicae, by far the
more destructive of the two. So, their presence may not be welcomed! A third
White butterfly, the Green-veined White P. napi,
is innocuous by comparison as its larvae generally feed on wildflowers
rather than on cultivated crops and it cannot be considered as any more of a
pest than any of the other British butterflies. The same applies to female Orange-tip
Butterflies Anthocharis cardamines.
They are also predominantly white in appearance, lacking the bright orange
wingtips of the males. Wood White Butterflies Leptidea
sinapsis are unlikely to be found in most
gardens. As may be seen from the photographs the Small White is by no means
entirely white, and as this butterfly contributes to pollination it also
performs a useful function. The native population may be reinforced annually by
migrants from the Continent. Summer brood butterflies have darker markings than
those seen during the spring. The first three photographs illustrate courtship
behaviour in a female, presumably rejecting the advances of a male.
Characteristically the wings would not have been held flat unless there was a
male nearby – partially opened is more typical when feeding. Most of the above
photographs show a fresh female with part of an antenna missing – possibly left
behind in the exuvium during emergence! The final two
images show balletic aerial courtship behaviour. One of the participating males
had clearly seen better days! There is a possibility that another closely
related species, the Southern Small White Butterfly P. manni may reach the UK very soon as it has been
recorded on the other side of the English Channel. One to look out for!
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