Cryptic Wood White Butterfly (Leptidea juvernica)

            Lullymore Bog West, 
Rathangan, Co. Kildare  
Ireland  26-05-2021

Scientific classificationEdit this classification
Domain:Eukaryota
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Arthropoda
Class:Insecta
Order:Lepidoptera
Family:Pieridae
Genus:Leptidea
Species:L. juvernica
Binomial name
Leptidea juvernica

Size and Family
Family: Whites and yellows
Size: Medium  
Wing Span Range (male to female): 42mm

Identification
Nelson et al. (2001) found that there are two species of Wood White in Ireland that cannot be reliably differentiated in the field. Genetic research by Dinca et al. (2011; 2013) found that the Wood White Leptidea sinapis, found throughout Britain and continental Europe, is confined to the Burren and similar areas in Clare and Galway. In contrast, the Cryptic Wood White Leptidea juvernica can be found throughout Ireland and continental Europe, but is absent from Britain.

Key identification features include:

Small size, wingspan: 40-42 mm
Can only be reliably differentiated from the Wood White by dissection of their genitalia or genetic markers, therefore it is recommended to simply record Leptidea sp. in the field
'Delicate' appearance with weak fluttering flight
Rounded wings with no bold markings
White with grey wing tips above and grey to light green beneath
Habitat
Generalist on grassy forest clearings, roadside verges, coastal and scrub areas.  Found across Ireland, but given the difficulty in differentiating Cryptic Wood Whites from Wood Whites, it is currently unknown to what extent both species co-occur within the range of the Wood White in the Burren and similar areas in Clare and Galway. Adults fly in sunny conditions with a characteristic slow, flapping flight close to the ground, especially among tall herbs and in scrub. The males patrol territories, while the females spend much of their time on flowerheads, or searching for oviposition sites. In dull weather adults may be found resting on flowerheads (Bond & Gittings, 2008).

Flight period
Univoltine: from April to July.

Life cycle
Eggs are laid directly onto the foodplant, usually beneath a leaflet or bract. The larva feeds externally on the foliage, pupating around September. The pupa, which overwinters, is attached to an upright stem of a plant other than one of the foodplants (Bond & Gittings, 2008).

Food plants
The larva primarily feed on Bird's-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) and Meadow Vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis).

Flowers visited
Generalist,  adults feed primarily on Bird's-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), but Bramble (Rubus fruticosus), Bugle (Ajuga reptans), Buttercups (Ranunculus spp.), Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea), Ragged Robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi), Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) and Vetches (Vicia spp.) are also used.
   

Taken on: May 26, 2021

Tags:

Cryptic

Wood

Butterfly

Leptidea

juvernica

Eukaryota

Animalia

Arthropoda

Insecta

Lepidoptera

Pieridae

L.juvernica

Leptidea-juvernica

Bug

Insect

Insects

Lullymore Bog West

Rathangan

Co. Kildare Ireland

Four-spotAnimalia

Animal

Nature

Wildlife

IRISH

Ireland

Eíre

Water

Outdoor

Co.Kildare

Marsh

Bog

Wetland « less

Sets appears in: • An Insect Collection • Cryptic Wood White Butterfly (Leptidea juvernica)

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