Pieridae: Dismorphiinae

06967a Cryptic Wood White Leptidea juvernica, Williams, 1946

BF -- (ABH58.000)

Osogovska Planina, W Bulgaria, 8h July 2013
Osogovska Planina, W Bulgaria, 8h July 2013
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Osogovska Planina, W Bulgaria, 8h July 2013
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
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Osogovska Planina, W Bulgaria, 8h July 2013
Osogovska Planina, W Bulgaria, 8h July 2013
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Osogovska Planina, W Bulgaria, 8h July 2013
Osogovska Planina, W Bulgaria, 8h July 2013
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
oso
oso
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies


General Information

Although this species definitely occurs in Bulgaria, we have no real idea how common it is, or it's distrbution. Genitalia examination (or DNA analysis) is needed to separate it with any degree of certainty from it's common sibling species the Wood White (Leptidea sinapis).

Looking at photographs and illustrations of the two species, some of the Leptidea specimens we have encountered seem more likely to be this species (more heavily dusted with dark scales), such as the examples illustrated above from photographs taken in the Osogovska Planina near the western border of Bulgaria.

 

The Eastern Wood White (L. duponcheli) can usually be spearated from both Wood White (L. sinapis) and Cryptic Wood White (L. juvernica) in the field. See Eastern Wood White for ID features that separate it from the other two species.



Habitat

Generally more open habitat that the Wood White (Leptidea sinapis), though there is probably a great deal of overlap.

Regional Information

Recorded in 1 (0.1%) of the 1900 10km squares of Bulgaria.

Last recorded in July 2013

Recorded date range (Adult): 08 July to 08 July

Similar Species
sinapis-juvernica. Redwall Reserve, Western Rhodopi Mtns., 9th June 2011.
sinapis-juvernica. Redwall Reserve, Western Rhodopi Mtns., 9th June 2011.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Wood White Leptidea sinapis
Slavyanka foothills, SW Bulgaria, 4th May 2014. 1st generation.
Slavyanka foothills, SW Bulgaria, 4th May 2014. 1st generation.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Eastern Wood White Leptidea duponcheli