Wood White

Leptidea sinapis (58.001)
Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) Priority Species.

The Wood White is the most delicate of our white butterflies, and anyone who has witnessed its lumbering, weak flight may question how the species ever managed to survive into the modern world! The males will fly continuously in fine weather searching for a female while the females tend to spend their time feeding on flowers or resting.

Females are all white except for a dusting of grey scales and forewings which are more rounded than the males. The longer, more pointed forewings of the males have a dark grey patch on the upper side.

The Wood White is a Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) Species.
Find out more information about LBAP species in our region.

If you would like to read the species action plan for the Wood White, please visit the Local Biodiversity Action Plan pages hosted by Warwickshire Wildlife Trust.

Habitat Requirements

The Wood White is usually found in sheltered woodland rides and clearings where the larval foodplant occurs.

Larval Foodplants

The larvae of the Wood White feed on Meadow Vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis), Bitter-vetch (Lathyrus linifolius), Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca), Bird's-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) and Greater bird's-foot Trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus).

Distribution in Warwickshire

See maps below. Distribution text required.

1995-2004

2005-2009

2010-2014

2015-2019