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White admiral

White admiral ©Tom Hibbert

White admiral

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The White admiral is a striking black-and-white butterfly with a delicate flight that includes long glides. It prefers shady woodlands where it feeds on Bramble.

Scientific name

Limenitis camilla

When to see

June to August

Top facts

Stats

Wingspan: 5.6-6.6cm
Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework.

About

The White admiral is a medium-sized butterfly found in shady woodlands, clearings and rides in late summer. Adults are often found on the flowers of Bramble and lay their eggs on Honeysuckle leaves, which the caterpillars feed on. Usually seen in ones or twos, it is never very common, but is widespread in southern England.

What to look for

The White admiral is a black butterfly with distinctive white bands on the wings and a gingery-brown underside. It has a characteristic flight pattern of short periods of wingbeats followed by long glides. The similar Purple emperor is larger.

Where to find

Found in southern England.

Did you know?

There is usually only one brood of White admirals per year, with adults emerging in June and July. Eggs are laid in late summer, and the new larvae wrap themselves in a silken leaf shelter for the winter.