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 | |
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