UK Butterflies - Black-veined White

Wingspan
69 - 76mm
Photo © Pete Eeles

Black-veined White

Aporia crataegi

a-POOR-ee-uh
kra-TEE-jee

B&F No.: 1548

Superfamily:	Papilionoidea
Family:	Pieridae
Subfamily:	Pierinae
Genus:	Aporia
Subgenus:
Species:	crataegi (Linnaeus, 1758)
Subspecies:	crataegi (Linnaeus, 1758)

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Introduction
Phenology
Habitat
Larval Foodplants
Nectar Sources
Imago

Ovum
Larva
Pupa
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	Introduction

First listed as a British species in 1667, this large butterfly became extinct in the British Isles around 1925 with its last remaining stronghold in the south-east of England. This species was always considered a rarity in the British Isles by early entomologists, although it is often very common on the continent.

This species forms discrete colonies that fluctuate greatly in numbers, although the cause of the ultimate demise of this species in the British Isles is a mystery since its foodplants can be found in abundance in all of its former sites. Disease (fostered by poor autumn weather), relatively-mild winters and increased predation by birds have all been suggested as potential causes of this demise. There was a successful reintroduction in Fife, Scotland, although this was only able to survive with appropriate protection of the larvae from birds. This species is extinct in the British Isles. This species was concentrated primarily in the southern half of England and south Wales. The strongholds were in Kent (which held 40 colonies), Hampshire, Gloucestershire and Sussex.

Subspecies: Aporia crataegi crataegi

The nominate subspecies was first defined in Linnaeus (1758) as shown here (type locality: Sweden). The population in the British Isles is represented by this subspecies.

Black-Veined White - imago - Gola del Infernaccio, Monti Sibillini, Italy - 16-Jun-08 (2)

Male
Photo © Pete Eeles

Black Veined White - Spain - 21 June 2012

Male Underside
Photo © Nigel Kiteley

Black-Veined White - imago - Monti Sibillini, Italy - 15-Jun-08 (1)

Female
Photo © Pete Eeles

Black-Veined White - imago - Stockbridge Down - 27-Jul-07 (2) [Neil Hulme]

Female Underside
Photo © Neil Hulme

	Phenology

In the British Isles, this species emerged in late June, peaked in July and survived into August. This butterfly has one generation each year.

Subspecies: Aporia crataegi crataegi

	Habitat

Early records of this species showed that it occurred in orchards, lanes, gardens, meadows and wherever its foodplants occurred in abundance.

	Larval Foodplants

The primary larval foodplants are Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) and Hawthorns (various) (Crataegus spp.).

	Nectar Sources

Description to be completed

	Imago

An interesting characteristic of this species is that the female, by rubbing her wings together, loses many of her scales, resulting in an almost-transparent look when compared with the white wings of the male. The purpose of this behaviour remains a mystery.

Subspecies: Aporia crataegi crataegi

Black-Veined White - imago - Thatcham - 14-May-06 (0119) [REARED]

Photo © Pete Eeles
14-May-2006

Black-Veined White - imago - Thatcham - 20-May-06 (0129) [REARED]

Photo © Pete Eeles
20-May-2006

Photo © Neil Hulme

Black-Veined White - imago - Stockbridge Down - 27-Jul-07 [Neil Hulme]

Photo © Neil Hulme

Black-Veined White - imago - Unknown location - Unknown date (2) [Guy Padfield]

Photo © Guy Padfield

Black-Veined White - imago - Unknown location - Unknown date [Guy Padfield]

Photo © Guy Padfield

Black-Veined White - imago - Gola del Infernaccio, Monti Sibillini, Italy - 16-Jun-08 (1)

Photo © Pete Eeles
16-Jun-2008