Hertfordshire & Middlesex Branch

Small White

Pieris rapae

Widespread and common resident

Distribution and Status

The Small White is a widespread and common butterfly throughout the two counties although it has been apparently absent in the last few years in some of the rural parts of north-east Hertfordshire. Numbers increased in the 2010-19 decade possibly due to the heavy presence of oil-seed rape but decreased slightly since. This species is not subject to the same major fluctuations in abundance afflicting the Large White due to parasitism and immigration

Habitat Requirements

Most habitats but more so on waste ground, gardens and allotments where cultivated brassicas are grown. Fields containing oil-seed rape are also frequented

Larval Foodplants

Cabbages Brassica oleracea, Watercress Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum. [Hedge Mustard Sisymbrium officinale, Garlic Mustard Alliaria petiolata, Hoary Cress Cardaria draba, Wild Mignonette Reseda lutea]

Adult Food Sources

Buddleia Buddleja davidii, Garden Lavender Lavandula x intermedia, Horseradish Armoracia rusticana

Behaviour/Observation notes

The Small White is probably the most common 'white' to visit gardens to feed on flowers. In hot and dry weather, aggregations may be found imbibing minerals from mud. It can be confused with the Green-veined White in flight but to the trained eye it might be possible to differentiate them by their behaviour. Small Whites tend to make more purposeful flights but this is by no means a reliable guide. Another clue is the habitat; if it is a damp or shady place it is more likely to be a Green-veined White but again not a hard and fast rule

Life History

Any warm weather in early spring should accelerate development of the overwintering pupae and adults emerge by early April. The second generation is always larger than the first and is bolstered by Continental immigrants but it is unknown if the immigration is the only or major cause. Eggs are laid singly on a number of wild foodplants under a leaf. Larvae eat the leaves leaving characteristic holes. When fully grown, they move away from the foodplant to pupate on tree trunks, fences and buildings

Further information

Photo gallery
Branch Annual Report (2023)
UK distribution map
Full list of larval hostplants (Pieridae)
Stevenage butterflies - additional notes
Account for 2022