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Butterfly Survey 1976-2020
White Admiral
The white admiral has had an interesting history with me. It put in a first appearance in Joydens Wood and Shoreham (North) during the eighties and then here in Bromley, where its population has fluctuated over the last five or six years, 2010 was good, 2011 not so good, with population densities hard to calculate. The butterfly is predominantly a woodland butterfly and with some woodland management in this locality, it could become secure.
Habit: Often a strong flier, but the butterfly can also be seen on pathways, around bramble and in muddy areas around water - has a tendency to crawl or walk from one feeding spot to another.
Single brooded, eggs are laid singly on the upper leaves of honeysuckle, the larvae emerging in a short time and feeding into the second instar, when it hibernates - to emerge the following year to complete its transformation - the pupae hanging on the underside of the foodplant.
Larval Foodplant: honeysuckle - wingspan imago 55-60 mm
Status: fluctuating naturally but also subject to lack of woodland management.
WH - White Hill Shoreham, BC - Bromley Common, HE - High Elms Ha Hayes --BN Bromley North - Ey Eynsford - Orp Orpington - RU Ruxley