Butterfly ID
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Field guide · Sweden
Whites and yellows · Sweden

Black-veined White

Aporia crataegi

Black-veined White is a large white butterfly with white, thin-scaled wings and black wing veins. It has its strongest populations on Öland and Gotland and has recently spread again under favourable summers.

Status in this countryLeast concern in SwedenLC (Least concern)
Black-veined White

Flight period

The flight season lasts approximately one month and occurs between the beginning of June and the middle or end of July, depending on the weather during the summer.

Habitat

Bushes, cleared heathlands, regenerating heathlands and heather expanses; on Gotland, particularly in sparse pine forests with a well-developed undergrowth. The species occurs primarily in forested areas and tends to avoid open agricultural landscapes.

Identifying features

Wingspan 58–77 mm. The wings are white on both sides and thinly scaled, with black wing veins and a narrow black disc spot. The females lose a large proportion of their wing scales during mating, and subsequently appear more translucent. The larva is fully grown, black, with broad lateral longitudinal markings of reddish-brown spots and dense, long light setae.

Similar species

No confusing species are described in the sources examined. The size and the black veins on the white wings are characteristic.

Distribution

Black-veined White has had its strongest populations in Sweden on Öland and Gotland. It remains locally abundant in eastern Småland, Värmland, and Gästrikland, and has very small populations scattered in the rest of Götaland and Svealand. In recent years, with favourable summers, it has spread again, primarily in Småland and Östergötland.

Biology

The butterflies are active flower visitors and often fly long distances to find rich flower meadows. The males patrol through open corridors in search of receptive females.