www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Does a male Small White ever appear without the black tips to the wings and with a white underside or should I be considering something else?

I've known them to be very pale (especially in spring), but they always have a suggestion of dark colouring around the wing tips.

There's an image of an abnormally pale one on the species-specific pages which was reared by one of UKB's members. Perhaps yours was similar?

app.php/gallery/image/16879

I agree there is usually at least a clouding of dark scales around the tips but this can be very faint in a spring male and they frequently look white until you get very close up.

This is a spring male - and quite typical, out here (Switzerland) at least:



Guy

Thanks, that seems to fit the bill. It's behaviour was also qite unlike any Small White that enjoy my brassicas, it was my ancient 'phone camera that let me down.