Wood White

National Status

Scattered distribution in England and Wales mainly in southern and central England, range contracting. Possibly less than 40 colonies remaining. Population trend 10 years -18%; since 1976 -88%.

West Midlands Status

Local in Herefordshire and Shropshire. Lost from Worcestershire in the last 10 years but reintroduced in 2016 as part of the Making a Stand of Wood White Project. Overall range contraction but recent range expansion in Shropshire. Population trend 10 years – decreasing.

Habitat

Mainly a butterfly of woodland rides.

Flight Period

Early May (sometimes late April) to early July and late July to late August. Double brooded but numbers fluctuate greatly from season to season.

Hotspots

Haugh Wood and Wigmore Rolls in Herefordshire and Bury Ditches in Shropshire. Mortimer Forest, and the Doward

Caterpillar Food Plant

The main foodplants are Common Bird’s-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Greater Bird’s-foot-trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus), Meadow Vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis) and Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca) and Bitter Vetch (Lathyrus linifolius)