SALTWELLS local nature reserve

Large White

 

Britain's largest white butterfly and similar to the small white. Both are generally disliked by gardeners who refer to them as 'cabbage whites', without distinction.

 

The female has a conspicuous pair of black dots on her forewings, and a pale-yellow wash to the upperside of the hindwing. Males lack the black spots and yellow tinge to the upperside, and are practically the size of a small white. However, large whites can be identified by the more extensive black tips to their wings.

 

Wing span: male 58mm and female 63mm

On the wing: early April to early October

Foodplant: primarily wild or cultivated species of the Cruciferae family, and in particular cabbage

 

2015 - earliest sighting 25 April