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• Small White

Small White Pieris rapae

Adults can be confused with the Large White but the black patch at the tip of the wing is much smaller, only spreading a short distance down the wing margin.

Male	Female

As with the Large and Green-veined Whites, males have a single spot on the upperwing while females have two.

The larvae feed on various crucifers and are a well-known pest species on brassicas. Unlike the Large White, Small Whites only lay a single egg per plant which develops into a unicolorous green larva; quite unlike that of the Large White.

Adults are on the wing from spring to autumn during which time there are 2 or 3 broods. Numbers may be reinforced by immigrants.

The Species

Brimstone Camberwell Beauty Comma Common Blue Dingy Skipper Essex Skipper Green-veined White Gatekeeper Holly Blue

Large Skipper Large White Meadow Brown Orange-tip Painted Lady Peacock Red Admiral Ringlet Small Copper

Small Heath Small Skipper Small Tortoiseshell Small White Speckled Wood Wall White-letter Hairstreak