English name:
Wood White
Full scientific name:
Leptidea sinapis (Linnaeus, 1758)
Croatian name:
Gorušićin bijelac
Flight Period and Life Cycle
2-3 broods per year.
Distribution in Croatia
The entire territory (see remarks in below paragraph). Check the included map.
External Morphology Characteristics
The butterfly has white wings, and in males, there is a dark tip at the apex of the forewing’s upper side. The underside of the wings is yellowish-gray, while the cell is white. It is impossible to distinguish between Leptidea sinapis and Leptidea juvernica based on their external morphology or habitat. The research project conducted by N. Shtinkov et al. in 2016 suggests that almost all observed specimens in Croatia belong to the Leptidea sinapis species. However, since the study only included a limited number of individuals from limited locations, it cannot be conclusively determined that Leptidea juvernica does not exist in Croatia. Therefore, all observations on the above map are categorized as the Leptidea juvernica/sinapis complex.
Behavior
This species flies slowly. It feeds on the nectar of flowers. It often absorbs juices on moist ground.
Caterpillar Host Plants
Family Fabaceae.
Habitat
Grasslands, edges of woodlands and bushes. Elevations: 0-1200m.
Gallery
Literature
N. Shtinkov, Z. Kolev, R. Vila, V. Dinca: The sibling species Leptidea juvernica and L. sinapis (Lepidoptera, Pieridae) in the Balkan Peninsula: ecology, genetic structure, and morphological variation. Zoology 119 (2016) 11-20.