Invertebrates
White Admiral
Limenitis camilla
Along a sun-dappled woodland ride in July, a white admiral glides past on flat wings, its broad white band flashing between the shadows of the trees.
Overview
The white admiral, Limenitis camilla, is a Least Concern butterfly of shady woodland across Europe and eastward into temperate Asia. Its white-banded wings, gliding flight, and honeysuckle-feeding caterpillar make it one of the most elegant woodland butterflies of the Old World.
A caterpillar that builds a winter home
Each young caterpillar folds a honeysuckle leaf and ties it with silk to make a tiny shelter, where it waits out the winter before feeding again in spring.
Status
Least Concern overall, though it has declined in parts of Britain.
White Admiral: common questions
What does the white admiral caterpillar eat?
It feeds on the leaves of honeysuckle, and spends the winter in a small shelter made from a folded honeysuckle leaf.
How can you recognise a white admiral?
It has dark brown-black wings crossed by a broad white band and glides gracefully on flat wings along woodland rides.
Is it the same as the red admiral?
No, they are different species in the same family, and the red admiral is a migrant with a red band across its dark wings.
Where is the white admiral found?
It lives in shady woodland across Europe and eastward into temperate Asia, wherever honeysuckle grows.