Small White 3rd Brood colour

[Jack Harrison]

Bred in captivity by accident.

I wanted to propagate some new Nasturtiums after the originals had been decimated by Large White caterpillars (and to a lesser extent by Small Whites). I cut off some relatively undamaged shoots and put them in waterfilled bottle -they root readily -and stood them on the window ledge in the warm (circa 23/24°) utility/laundry room. I had noticed one fully grown Small White caterpillar on the leaves but ignored it. It quickly disappeared (to pupate I had assumed). Some two weeks later, this appeared inside the window. It was an incredibly yellow individual.

Summer broods of the common whites are decidedly more yellow than the spring broods . Perhaps in the warmer parts of Europe, the yellow colour is even more intense (Guy?)

Small Whites are very easy to breed so some experiments are planned (maybe too late this season). Fully grown caterpillars can be put in the usual plastic boxes. Some would then put into a very warm environment, for example a warm airing cupboard, others kept in more normal temperatures. It might be possible to determine if there is any correlation between temperature of pupae and colour of the butterflies.

I would suspect similar temperature effects would be testable with Large Whites. But the problem with collecting fully grown Large White caterpillars is that a huge percentage are parasitized; Small Whites suffer far less.

I released my Small White in mild (16°) cloudy but dry weather. It flew away strongly. The Nasturtiums have rooted well.

Jack

[Padfield]

I must admit I hadn't consciously noticed that small whites in Switzerland or southern Europe had yellower undersides - and checking through random pictures of various broods it doesn't obviously seem the case either. So I'll be interested to see the results of your experiments, Jack!

I had a look at the small white pictures on this site to compare. Does anyone else think the 'female underside' shown as the fourth head picture for the species is really a green-veined white?

Guy

[Piers]

[quote="padfield"]I had a look at the small white pictures on this site to compare. Does anyone else think the 'female underside' shown as the fourth head picture for the species is really a green-veined white?

I'd say Guy!! and have you checked out the Brown Argus on the Adonis Blue page...!

Felix.

[Pete Eeles]

Does anyone else think the 'female underside' shown as the fourth head picture for the species is really a green-veined white?

Yes it is. Shame on me Although I probably went by the photographer's ID

We also need to sort out the Small/Essex skippers and Common Blue/Brown Argus shots, since there are a few incorrect items there too!

Cheers,

- Pete

[Padfield]

I'd say Guy!! and have you checked out the Brown Argus on the Adonis Blue page...!
Felix.

Well spotted, Felix!! And Pete can't blame the photographer for that one, can he??

Guy

[Pete Eeles]

Oh boy

OK - perhaps we should agree on what's what! So - Felix - what's wrong on the Adonis Blue page?

Cheers,

- Pete

[Padfield]

Sorry Jack - your thread has been temporarily sabotaged!

I think it is your very first Cerne Abbas picture that Felix is pointing out, Pete! It certainly looks like a brown argus to me, from the position of the hindwing spots and the apparent lack of cell spot on the forewing. BUT it could be an aberrant Adonis blue - and you saw it in real life...

To be fair, I think there are very few errors on this site!! I had a correspondent correct a couple of pictures on my own site just last week, so no criticism is implied!!

Guy

[Pete Eeles]

Thanks Guy - I'll take a look. It could well have been among a series of Adonis Blue pics and it slipped through!

All corrections welcome - and I'd never take it as criticism. I'm here to learn, just like everyone else

Yeah - sorry Jack!

Cheers,

- Pete