White admiral (Limenitis camilla)

Overview

The White Admiral (Limenitis camilla) is a striking and graceful woodland butterfly found across Europe and parts of Asia. Known for its elegant gliding flight and distinctive white bands across dark wings, this butterfly is both a joy for nature lovers and a key species for woodland biodiversity.

🦋 Identification

• Scientific name: Limenitis camilla
• Family: Nymphalidae (brush-footed butterflies)
• Wingspan: 55–65 mm
• Coloration:
  • Upperside: Dark brown-black with bold, curved white transverse bands across both wings.
  • Underside: Rich reddish-brown with white bands and scattered black and blue markings – beautifully camouflaged when wings are closed.
• Flight: Graceful, gliding, with occasional flaps — very distinctive in woodland settings.

🌍 Distribution & Habitat

• Range: Most of Europe (except far north and southwest), extending east into temperate Asia.
• Preferred habitat: Deciduous or mixed woodlands, particularly sunny glades, rides, and edges with dense undergrowth.
• Altitude: Usually lowland to mid-elevation zones.

🌿 Life Cycle

• Brood: One generation per year (June to early August)
• Eggs: Laid singly on the tips of honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) leaves — the primary larval foodplant.
• Larva (caterpillar):
  • Green with two spiny horns and white markings to mimic bird droppings.
  • Overwinters as a small larva in a leaf shelter called a hibernaculum.
• Pupa (chrysalis): Camouflaged to resemble a dried leaf.
• Adult emergence: Late spring to midsummer depending on climate.

🍯 Feeding

• Larvae feed on honeysuckle leaves.
• Adults do not visit flowers often, but feed on:
  • Honeydew
  • Tree sap
  • Rotting fruit
  • Moisture and minerals from damp ground or animal dung

🧬 Behavior

• Territorial: Males often patrol or bask along sunlit woodland paths.
• Skittish: Difficult to approach, often flies high or retreats quickly when disturbed.
• Camouflage: Underside coloration helps blend with leaves when resting.

⚠️ Conservation Status

• Generally stable in much of its range, but has declined in some areas due to:
  • Loss of suitable woodland habitat
  • Over-management or neglect of rides and clearings
• Conservation actions include:
  • Woodland thinning
  • Ride widening
  • Encouraging honeysuckle growth for caterpillar food

📸 Tips for Observation

• Best seen in June and July, especially during warm, sunny days.
• Look along woodland rides, edges, or paths with overhanging trees.
• Wait near honeysuckle patches where adults may stop to lay eggs.

🌟 Interesting Facts

• Related to the more colorful Poplar Admiral (Limenitis populi).
• Its graceful flight makes it easily distinguishable from fast-fluttering species like fritillaries.
• Sometimes hybridizes with similar species in overlapping ranges (e.g., Limenitis sydyi in Asia).

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

Common tiger (Danaus genutia)

Orange Tip Butterfly (Anthocharis cardamines)

Comma butterfly (Polygonia c-album)

Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon)

Orange gull (Cepora judith)

Green hairstreak (Callophrys rubi)

Common copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

Mazarine Blue (Cyaniris semiargus)

Blue glassy tiger (Ideopsis similis)

Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius)

Download full size image The Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) is a charming butterfly species belonging to the family Nymphalidae, known for its striking appearance and widespread distribution across Europe and parts of Asia. Here's a detailed description: Physical Characteristics: The Small Tortoiseshell butterfly is of medium size, with a wingspan typically ranging from 45 to 55 millimeters. It displays a distinctive pattern of bright orange wings bordered by a black band with white spots. The forewings also feature a row of blue crescents near the outer edge, while the hindwings have a series of blue spots and a border of black and yellow. The undersides of the wings are mottled brown, providing effective camouflage when the butterfly is at rest. Habitat and Distribution: Small Tortoiseshell butterflies are commonly found in a variety of habitats, including meadows, grasslands, woodlands, gardens, and urban areas. They are distributed across much of Europe, including the British Isles, Scandinavia, and the Mediterranean region, as well as parts of Asia, such as Siberia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. They are particularly abundant in temperate regions with diverse plant species. Behavior and Life Cycle: Small Tortoiseshell butterflies are diurnal and active during the warmer months of the year, especially in spring and summer. They are strong and agile flyers, often seen fluttering among flowers in search of nectar and mates. The females lay eggs singly on the leaves of stinging nettles (Urtica spp.), which serve as the primary larval host plant. The caterpillars hatch from the eggs and feed on the leaves of the host plants before pupating and emerging as adult butterflies. Conservation Status: The Small Tortoiseshell is not considered globally threatened and is generally common and widespread throughout its range. However, like many butterfly species, it may face localized threats due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation caused by agricultural intensification, urbanization, and climate change. Conservation efforts focused on preserving and restoring habitats, protecting larval host plants, and minimizing human disturbance are crucial for ensuring the long-term survival of this iconic butterfly species. Overall, the Small Tortoiseshell butterfly is a beautiful and ecologically important species, valued for its striking appearance, graceful flight, and role in pollination and ecosystem functioning. Its presence adds vibrancy and vitality to natural landscapes and serves as a symbol of the rich biodiversity of the regions where it is found.

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

False heath fritillary (Melitaea diamina)

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

Northern chequered skipper (Carterocephalus silvicola)

Mazarine Blue (Cyaniris semiargus)

Chestnut heath (Coenonympha glycerion)

Lesser marbled fritillary (Brenthis ino)

Common tiger (Danaus genutia)

European peacock (Inachis io)

Green hairstreak (Callophrys rubi)

Julia Heliconian (Dryas iulia)

Mazarine Blue (Cyaniris semiargus)

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius)

Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon)

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

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