Wood White

Special features: The wood white is the smallest of the white butterflies.

It has very oval shaped wings, and a long, thin body. The upper sides of the wing tips have a small black patch.

Wood white caterpillars are green, with a yellow stripe running down each side of the body.

Latin name: Leptidea sinapis

Size: Wingspan up to 42mms

Distribution: Found in most parts of Northern Ireland, and a few parts of Wales and southern England.

Months seen: May to July. When there is a second generation these can be seen flying in July and August.

Food: Nectar. The caterpillars feed on bitter vetch, tufted vetch and bird's-foot trefoil.

Habitat: Woodland rides and meadows.