The White Admiral is a stunning woodland butterfly. From a distance, the wings are black/dark brown with a band of white but on closer inspection, subtle patterns and colouration occur in the dark areas of the wing. The undersides are more colourful, sky blue near the body, with dark red/brown markings and a white band corresponding to the upper wing pattern.
The White Admiral has a distinctive and delicate flight pattern consisting of short periods of wing beats, followed by long glides often very near the ground. Care should be taken as a low-flying White Admiral may be mistaken for a Purple Emperor.
Adults are often observed feeding on Bramble flowers in woodland rides and clearings but may also be encountered on the ground feeding on moist, nutrient rich soils. They are sometimes seen feeding on bird droppings. It prefers shady areas, flying in dappled sunlight. The females lay their eggs on Honeysuckle.
The White Admiral prefers shady woodland and woodland rides in mature woodland. Sunny glades with patches of Bramble and other flowers providing nectar are also required.
The larvae of the White Admiral feed on Wild Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum).
15-06-2018 by Terry Southgate at Wappenbury Wood.
15-06-2017 by Mike Slater at Ryton Wood.
27-06-2015 by Mike Slater at Oversley Wood.
15-06-2014 by Julian Lloyd at Ryton Wood.
05-07-2013 by Mike Slater at Ryton Wood.
07-07-2012 by Mike Slater at Ryton Wood.
16-06-2011 by Brian Laney at Weethley Wood.
22-06-2010 by Gillian Thompson at Oversley Wood.
26-06-2008 by Mike Slater at Ryton Wood.
06-06-2007 by David Brown at Hay Wood.
*First sighting dates for the White Admiral are based on records submitted online only. These dates are not updated retrospectively to include records submitted to the branch recorder in other forms.