The first sighting of true spring butterfly

The first report this year of a small white butterfly was on March 13 at Dungeness and is a typical record for this species. The first spring record can be a little bit later depending on the weather but we have experienced a warm spell midmonth which has triggered activity in the insect world.

It is also the first true spring butterfly which emerges from a chrysalis, compared to the other species of butterfly you might see in the early spring like small tortoiseshell, peacock, brimstone or comma butterfly, which all hibernate as a butterfly.

Small whites have black tips to the white wings and have a pale yellowish wash to the underside of the wings, especially on the hindwing, when the wings are closed.

They are smaller in size to the large white and differ from the green-veined white, which has a strong greenish venation to the underside of the wings.

They lay their eggs on plants in the cabbage or crucifer family.

So like my saying there is no such thing as a seagull, there is also no such thing as a cabbage white butterfly. They are all species of white butterflies.

So get out and have a look for one on the warm, sunny days this spring.

For more information contact Owen Leyshon, Romney Marsh Countryside Partnership, telephone 01797 367934 or log on to www.rmcp.co.uk