| British Butterflies: Species: Species Account - The Small White: |
Small White
Pieris rapae (Linnaeus, 1758)
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Nomenclature
Insecta: Lepidoptera : Family Pieridae: Subfamily Pierinae : Genus Pieris: Species rapae: |
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Description
Adult butterflies are particularly attracted to white flowers on which they feed. |
Habitat
It is a common visitor to gardens where it breeds on brassicas and Nasturtium though it relies less on cultivated brassica crops than the Large White and breeds on a range of wild foodplants. |
Distribution
The Small White can be found throughout the UK except the islands of Shetland Orkney and Western Isles. Locally common in Northern Scotland. A native species whose numbers are boosted by migrants from mainland Europe. |
Where to see the Small White in the British Isles
The Small White can be found throughout the UK except the islands of Shetland Orkney and Western Isles. Locally common in Northern Scotland. A native species whose numbers are boosted by migrants from mainland Europe. |
Lifecycle chart
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Flight chart
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| The lifecycle and flight charts should be regarded as approximate guides to the Small White in Britain. Specific lifecycle states, adult emergence and peak flight times vary from year to year due to variations in weather conditions. |
| IUCN category status 2010 5 |
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IUCN category status 2007 34 |
 --awaiting data--
5Fox, R., Warren, M., Brereton, T. M., Roy, D. B. & Robinson, A.
(2010) A new Red List of British Butterflies. Insect Conservation and Diversity.
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 Least Concern
3Fox, R., Warren, M & Brereton, T.
(2007) New Red List of British Butterflies. Butterfly Conservation, Wareham.
4More information about IUCN categories. |
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Wingspan
38-57mm |
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UK status
Resident |
Larval foodplants
Cultivated brassicas are the primary foodplants including cabbages and Nasturtium (Tropaeoleum majus). Wild crucifers such as Wild Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) Charlock (Sinapis arvensis), Hedge Mustard (Sisymbrium officinale), Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata), Hoary Cress (Lepidium draba), and Wild Mignonette (Reseda lutea) are also used to a lesser degree. |
Butterflies of Britain ID Chart
Your personal guide to British Butterflies. This 8-panel laminated chart is designed for speedy butterfly identification in the field. Ideal for anyone interested in identifying butterflies, perfect for children and adults and ideal for outdoor use, laminated, shower-proof and robust. |
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Online store
Visit our online store for many more butterfly related books and gifts. |
Population trends 1
UK Population trend 1995-2004  down by -34%
UK Population trend 1976-2004  up by 15%
1Fox, R., Asher. J., Brereton. T., Roy, D & Warren, M. (2006) The State of Butterflies in Britain & Ireland, Pices, Oxford. |
UK BAP status 2
UK BAP status not listed (link)
2For information about the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, visit the JNCC web site jncc.defra.gov.uk. |
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National Biodiversity Network Gateway Distribution
Map
Areas in  and  indicate a contraction in distribution of the Small White except in Ireland where data is only available up until 1999.
* Records shown in  outside the natural distribution may be the result of illegal or accidental releases by breeders or, depending upon the species, migrant individuals from mainland Europe.
Key to map*
= 2000 to 2010 inclusive (current distribution)
= records from 1950 to 1999 inclusive
= records from 1900 to 1949 inclusive
Records prior to 1st January 1900 are not shown.
The NBN Gateway records are shown on the map right. (See terms and conditions).
More data is available on the Small White on the NBN Gateway web site. 
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References
For full details of books and reports mentioned on this web site, view the references page.
Find out more online*
Small White can be found on Peter Eeles excellent UK Butterflies web site.
Small White can be found on Matt Rowlings excellent European Butterflies web site.
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| Photographs of the Small White |
Aberrations and forms
There are 8 named aberrant forms of the Small White currently listed. Find out more about aberrants here.
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| ab. flava - ter Haar 1899 |
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| ab. impunctata - Le Moult 1944 |
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| ab. lacticolor - Lempke 1953 |
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| ab. leucotera - Stefanelli 1869 |
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| ab. praeterita - Krulikowsky 908 |
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| ab. subtus-flava - Lempke 1934 |
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