White Admiral (Limenitis camilla)
Species

Male. Taken at Bernwood Forest, Bucks, on June 18th 2017.
(1/200th sec at f13. © David Hastings)

Male underside. Taken at Bernwood Forest, Bucks, on July 3rd 2015.
(1/160th sec at f13. © David Hastings)

Description

Family: Nymphalinae

Wing span: 56 - 64 mm

The White Admiral has brownish-black upper surfaces, with a white band on both wings. It is the most elegant and graceful British butterfly.

It is found through much of western and central Europe, in central and southern England, and the eastern counties of Wales. By 1900 it was restricted to southern England. However, there has been a reversal of fortune, with the butterfly reaching its former distribution that extends as far north as Lincolnshire.

It is found in deciduous and mixed woods where the larval food plant grows.

Adults emerge in the second half of June and peak in the first part of July. There is usually one brood each year, but in some years there may be a partial second brood in late summer.

The primary larval food plant is Honeysuckle.

Adults feed primarily on honeydew and sap. Betony, Bramble, Hogweed, Privet and Thistles are also used.

White Admirals have an elegant gliding flight. They spend much of their time in the tree canopy.

Vulnerable

Sightings

17-Jul-2023 : Bernwood Forest, Bucks (1)
17-Jul-2023 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (3)
26-Jun-2023 : Bernwood Forest, Bucks (4)
26-Jun-2023 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (7)

04-Jul-2022 : Bernwood Forest, Bucks (1)
01-Jul-2022 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (1)

14-Jul-2021 : Bernwood Forest, Bucks (2)

02-Jul-2020 : Bernwood Forest, Bucks (1)
22-Jun-2020 : Bernwood Forest, Bucks (1)

16-Jul-2019 : Bucknell Wood, Northants (8)
12-Jul-2019 : Bernwood Forest, Bucks (1)
12-Jul-2019 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (2)
08-Jul-2019 : Bernwood Forest, Bucks (2)
04-Jul-2019 : Bernwood Forest, Bucks (4)
03-Jul-2019 : Bernwood Forest, Bucks (1)

21-Jul-2018 : Vercors Natural Park, France
10-Jul-2018 : Fence Wood, Berks (4)
02-Jul-2018 : Bernwood Forest, Bucks (1)
01-Jul-2018 : Fence Wood, Berks (4)
18-Jun-2018 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (7)
18-Jun-2018 : Bernwood Forest, Bucks (5)

02-Jul-2017 : Fence Wood, Berks (3)
01-Jul-2017 : Bernwood Forest, Bucks (3)
18-Jun-2017 : Waterperry Wood, Oxon (1)
18-Jun-2017 : Bernwood Forest, Bucks (3)
15-Jun-2017 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (3)

11-Jul-2016 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (1)

04-Jul-2015 : Bernwood Forest, Bucks (1)
03-Jul-2015 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (2)
03-Jul-2015 : Bernwood Forest, Bucks (5)

06-Jul-2014 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (4)
21-Jun-2014 : Zhelezhari, Bulgaria
21-Jun-2014 : nr Gugutka, Bulgaria
15-Jun-2014 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (1)

28-Jul-2013 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (5)
13-Jul-2013 : Bernwood Forest, Bucks (2)

10-Aug-2012 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (1)
22-Jul-2012 : Bentley Wood, Wilts (2)
15-Jul-2012 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (1)

17-Jul-2011 : Wootton Copse, Hants (1)
09-Jul-2011 : Bernwood Forest, Bucks (1)
02-Jul-2011 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (2)
02-Jul-2011 : Bernwood Forest, Bucks (2)

24-Jul-2010 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon
11-Jul-2010 : Bernwood Forest, Bucks
04-Jul-2010 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon
29-Jun-2010 : Vienne, France
27-Jun-2010 : The Brenne, Loire Valley, France
24-Jun-2010 : The Brenne, Loire Valley, France