White Admiral Butterflies

Identify It >   Butterflies Section >   White Admiral Butterflies >

Scientific name:  Limenitis camilla (formerly Ladoga camilla)

Size:  Wingspan approx 60mm

Distribution:  Found in the southern half of England

Months seen:  June to September

Habitat:  Woodland with plenty of rough undergrowth

Food:  Nectar, frequently bramble.  The caterpillars feed on honeysuckle

Special features:  White Admiral butterflies can be seen flying gracefully through sunlit woodland.  When they first emerge the butterflies are a rich velvety black colour, but after a while they become more of a dusty grey colour.  Nectar from bramble flowers are a favourite food.

The eggs are laid on honeysuckle leaves.  The caterpillars of the White Admiral are green with pairs of reddish-brown branched spines.  They hibernate from autumn through to the following summer, when they pupate.  After approximately two weeks the adult butterfly emerges.

Related Pages

• UK Safari Butterfly Section
• UK Safari Caterpillar Section
• Identify other wildlife
• What's Out Now?