Fenton’s Wood White
Common NameFenton’s Wood White
Scientific NameLeptidea morsei
FamilyPieridae
SubfamilyDismorphiinae
Wingspan (mm)45
Wing Patternstriped
Primary Colorswhite, greenish-grey
HabitatOpen deciduous woodlands, forest clearings, scrubland, often near water
Geographic RangeSoutheastern Europe, Turkey, Caucasus, Central Asia, Siberia, Far East
Host PlantsLathyrus vernus, Lathyrus niger, Vicia cracca
Flight PeriodApril to July
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plants. Larvae are green with a pale lateral stripe, feeding on legumes. It overwinters as a pupa, typically having two broods per year.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its more rounded wings and the pronounced greenish-grey venation on the underside of the hindwings, which gives a striped appearance. Males of the first brood may have a more distinct dark apical spot on the forewing upperside.
Description
A medium-sized, slender white butterfly with rounded wings. The underside of the hindwings and forewing apex are distinctly marked with greenish-grey scaling along the prominent veins.
