Pierids in Sussex

 The white and yellow butterflies in Britain all belong to the Pieridae family. 

Of those species that occur in Sussex, most are common and widespread and found in a range of habitats.

 However, one is a rare resident, only to be found in a few small colonies in the north-west of the county.

Wood White (Leptidea sinapis)

This species is our rarest Pierid in the county and only occurs in a few areas in north-west Sussex.

(males)

(females)

(courtship)

Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus)

This species is a migrant to Britain, occurring annually in varying numbers. Some years it can arrive in huge numbers and produce summer and autumn broods. In other years it can be a rare sight.

(female)

(female, form helice)

This pale form accounts for about 10% of the female population.

(male)

(mating)

Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni)

The Brimstone hibernates as an adult butterfly and is one of our first species to be seen on the wing during late winter and early spring sunshine.

(males)

(female)

(mating)

Large White (Pieris brassicae)

This is a common and widespread species. Together with the next species, it can cause serious damage to garden cabbage crops.

(females)

(male)

(mating)

Small White (Pieris rapae)

This common and widespread butterfly is also a cabbage crop pest.

(females)

(male)

(mating)

Green-veined White (Pieris napi)

This cousin of the previous two species is certainly not a garden pest. It is more akin to the next species in its choice of habitat, preferring to wander along field margins, verges and woodland edges, looking for foodplants such as garlic mustard and lady's smock.

(males)

(females)

(mating)

Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines)

This pretty little butterfly is a true harbinger of spring, emerging from its overwintering pupa from late March to late May.

(males)

(females)

(mating)

The Wood White and a Prickly Garden Visitor

On 4th July I was keen to connect with the Purple Emperor (Apatura iris) in the woods of the West Sussex/Surrey borders. We were off on holiday to Cumbria the following week and it was probably going to be my only chance to see this lovely insect this year.

 

However, I wasn't expecting to see second brood Wood White (Leptidea sinapis) on the wing quite so early in the month. This delicate member of the Pieridae family tends to flutter endlessly along the ride edges, just a couple of feet from the ground and seemingly never pausing for rest.

 

 

Wood White (Leptidea sinapis) (female)

 

 

 

Courtship in the Wood White is fascinating to watch. The male (right) sits head to head with the female and flicks his wings whilst caressing her with his antennae and proboscis. I have often seen this behaviour over the years but have yet to see it result in mating.

 

 

Wood White (L.sinapis) (male)

 

 

Purple Emperor (Apatura iris) (male)

 

Even a rather washed out male is a beauty to behold.

 

 

Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia) (male)

 

I took this photograph a couple of weeks earlier in an East Sussex wood.

 

 

The evening before my day with sinapis and iris, I was called out into the back garden where Carol had found a sub-adult Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) snuffling about on the lawn.

 

Last year, they nested underneath a hedge beside our garage and it was nice to see that they are probably doing so again this year.

 

At mid-morning, a couple of days later, Carol came across an adult in the back garden.

 

 

Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) (sub-adult)

 

 

Hedgehog (E.europaeus) (adult)