Black-veined White

Hey guys I’m back. This week I’m going to be writing about the Black-veined White. I just choose this particular butterfly because of its very unique look. I also love black and white so I guess that could be another reason. I hope this information is enjoyable to read.

   The Black-veined White became extinct, for reasons that are unknown, in Britain during the 1920’s. Some believe it to be the cause of the destruction of the butterfly’s main food source: Blackthorn and Hawthorns. Others say that it’s because of the short mild winters that allow for many of the birds to stay around, which are the butterfly’s key predator. Many reintroductions have been put forth but all have failed.

  The Black-veined White would be found near orchards, hedgerows, and around the edges of woodlands. They are often found to be in groups of great numbers when roosting. The larvae eat off the fruit of the trees in orchards where the butterfly is found, while the adults feed on nectar. These butterflies need lots of water which they usually get from the ground.  They are known to be the only butterfly to be all white and have all its veins marked in black with no other distinct markings. The males are usually the only ones that will have the dark black outlines and the females will have light to dark brown outlines.  They are known to be relatively large butterflies with a wingspan of 60-70mm.

  The caterpillars of this species are often found to grow up to 4cm long. They are black with orange spots with white markings above their legs and long white hairs along their bodies. These caterpillars can survive through winters under the protection of their woven nests. That’s hard to believe that such a small little thing can survive such a cold winter.