Wood White
Leptidea sinapisThe Wood White is a delicate butterfly that drifts gracefully through woodland clearings and sunny glades. Their soft white wings, tinged with grey, give them a gentle, floating appearance that can make them easy to overlook. Males are surprisingly active, patrolling tirelessly and performing elaborate courtship displays, while females live life at a more leisurely pace, resting and feeding on flowers. Their caterpillars can travel surprisingly long distances.
A floating white ghost in clearings and sunny glades
Like a ghost, the delicate and enchanting Wood White floats silently through woodland clearings, its soft white wings catching the light as it glides through pools of sunshine.
To the untrained eye, it might easily be mistaken for another of the UK’s white butterflies. However, a closer look reveals a more rounded appearance to its soft white wings and a distinct dusky greyness to its body and eyes.
Despite its daintiness, the Wood White is surprisingly active – Wood White caterpillars sometimes travel a few metres to find a suitable spot to go into their chrysalises, which is a long way for such little caterpillars.
The males dance through the woods for long periods, rarely stopping as they patrol for mates. When they do stop, it’s likely to engage in an elaborate courtship ritual which involves sticking out their tongue, flapping their wings and waving their head and antennae around.
Females, meanwhile, will perch on flowers, nectaring and resting whilst they wait for a mate to find them.
The Wood White has a beautiful, bright green chrysalis, which develops pink markings as time goes on, looking almost like a bud ready to bloom.
Found across southern and central England, and scattered in Wales, they’re most at home in woodland rides, glades and sunny clearings.
Vibes
Each butterfly is scored out of 100 across a set of traits, from how bold and visible it is to how far it travels or how particular it is about where it lives. These scores compare each species with the other butterflies in Britain, helping you see their differences at a glance. Here’s what makes the Wood White special.
Bright colours, bold patterns, and a love of the spotlight. Some butterflies just can’t help showing off.
Fast, or throwing some seriously impressive moves, these butterflies are in a flutter.
Always on guard, ready to hide or defend - these butterflies have self-preservation down to an art.
It’s ok to be a little… well, weird. These butterflies have been certified with the freak factor.
Like Goldilocks, everything has to be just right for these perfectionists.
Hard to spot and even harder to forget, these butterflies are a true one of a kind.
Bold, curious, and ready to explore, these brave butterflies live for the thrill and aren’t afraid to travel.
Weather-resistant, battle-hardened, and built to survive, these butterflies know how to take it on the wing.
The Wood White chrysalis starts bright green and develops soft pink markings, giving the appearance of a tiny flower bud before the butterfly emerges.
Test your knowledge
What unusual behaviour do Wood White caterpillars show?Wood White caterpillars can travel several metres to find a suitable place to pupate, which is unusual for such small insects.
Does the Wood White get your vote?