www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

I wonder if anyone can confirm the ID of this butterfly. It looks like a green-veined white, but I'm unsure. It was taken last August, at Horsey in Norfolk. Thanks.

Rich

I think that is Pieris brassicae (Large White). There is no separate green areas around the veins and the dark wing-tips extend quite low.

Thanks. That it hasn't got its wings opened doesn't help novices like me. It appears to have several dark spots, but it could be speckled underwing rather than a spot above.

Rich

Both male and female large whites have two large dark spots on the underside of the forewing. The female has the same spots on the upperside. You are seeing these spots through the hindwing here.

As JKT says, this is certainly a large white.

Guy

Is it not possible for it to be a Small White? There is no definitive perspective on size that I can see.

The extent of the dark apical patch and the overall shape and 'feel' indicate large white.

Photos can always deceive, but it looks quite clear cut to me.

Guy

padfield wrote:The extent of the dark apical patch and the overall shape and 'feel' indicate large white.

Photos can always deceive, but it looks quite clear cut to me.

Guy

I know what you're saying, Guy. Even to me, the fairly pronounced black strip along the anterior forewing seems too dark for it to be a Small White, but given that the photograph doesn't divulge anything from a size perspective, can anyone confidently rule Small White out?

Thanks for the replies. Sorry I cannot help with the perspective, it was an opportunist shot with no thought other than to capture it.

Rich

David M wrote:

padfield wrote:The extent of the dark apical patch and the overall shape and 'feel' indicate large white.

Photos can always deceive, but it looks quite clear cut to me.

Guy

I know what you're saying, Guy. Even to me, the fairly pronounced black strip along the anterior forewing seems too dark for it to be a Small White, but given that the photograph doesn't divulge anything from a size perspective, can anyone confidently rule Small White out?

Definitely Large White. Take a look at the "Similar Species" section here:

http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species. ... =brassicae

Cheers,

- Pete

Thanks Pete. Yes, when you look at examples of both at the same time it becomes clear.

Thanks for your input everyone.

Rich