Pieridae: Pierinae

06993 Black-veined White Aporia crataegi, (Linnaeus, 1758)

BF1548 (ABH58.005)

Popovo Livadi, Pirin Mtns., 30th June 2006. Male.
Popovo Livadi, Pirin Mtns., 30th June 2006. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Popovo Livadi, Pirin Mtns., 30th June 2006. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
 2010-2016
 2017
 2018
 2019
Kartala, Rila Mtns., 11th July 2013, male
Kartala, Rila Mtns., 11th July 2013, male
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Kartala, Rila Mtns., 11th July 2013, male
Kartala, Rila Mtns., 11th July 2013, male
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Kartala, Rila Mtns., 10th July 2013, female
Kartala, Rila Mtns., 10th July 2013, female
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Kartala, Rila Mtns., 11th July 2013, female
Kartala, Rila Mtns., 11th July 2013, female
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Kokalyane, near Sofia, 22nd June 2010. Male.
Kokalyane, near Sofia, 22nd June 2010. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Pirin Mtns., above Bansko, 7th July 2011. Pair in cop.
Pirin Mtns., above Bansko, 7th July 2011. Pair in cop.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Kozhuh, Struma valley, SW Bulgaria, 13th May 2014. Pair with female pupal case below.
Kozhuh, Struma valley, SW Bulgaria, 13th May 2014. Pair with female pupal case below.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Kozhuh, Struma valley, SW Bulgaria, 13th May 2014.
Kozhuh, Struma valley, SW Bulgaria, 13th May 2014.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Dobrostan plateau, Western Rhodopi Mtns., 30th July 2012, female & male.
Dobrostan plateau, Western Rhodopi Mtns., 30th July 2012, female & male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Zabardo, Western Rhodopi Mountains, 22nd June 2015. Male.
Zabardo, Western Rhodopi Mountains, 22nd June 2015. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Zabardo, Western Rhodopi Mountains, 22nd June 2015. Male.
Zabardo, Western Rhodopi Mountains, 22nd June 2015. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Zabardo, Western Rhodopi Mountains, 22nd June 2015.
Zabardo, Western Rhodopi Mountains, 22nd June 2015.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Zabardo, Western Rhodopi Mountains, 22nd June 2015.
Zabardo, Western Rhodopi Mountains, 22nd June 2015.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Bansko, Pirin Mtns. 25th June 2005.
Bansko, Pirin Mtns. 25th June 2005.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
NW Bulgaria. 11th June 2019. Male.
NW Bulgaria. 11th June 2019. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Buchin Prohod, NW Bulgaria. 24th June 2017. Pudding with golden skippers.
Buchin Prohod, NW Bulgaria. 24th June 2017. Pudding with golden skippers.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
near Oshane, NW Bulgaria. 7th June 2016.
near Oshane, NW Bulgaria. 7th June 2016.
 Photo © Nick Freeman
Slavyanka foothills, SW Bulgaria. 12th May 2015.
Slavyanka foothills, SW Bulgaria. 12th May 2015.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Emerging ova. Kyustendil Province, W. Bulgaria. 4th July 2017.
Emerging ova. Kyustendil Province, W. Bulgaria. 4th July 2017.
 Photo © David Alred
Gorni Lom, NW Bulgaria. 7th June 2016. ova batch
Gorni Lom, NW Bulgaria. 7th June 2016. ova batch
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Slavyanka foothills, SW Bulgaria. 12th May 2015.
Slavyanka foothills, SW Bulgaria. 12th May 2015.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
near Melnik, SW Bulgaria. 10th May 2014. Photographed as found.
near Melnik, SW Bulgaria. 10th May 2014. Photographed as found.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies


General Information

This is a common and widespread aspecies in Bulgaria and can be very abundant, appearing in places in such density that they are reminicent of passing through showers of very large snow-flakes! They occur from lowlands to over 1500m, with some individuals straying to higher altitudes.

 

This species, especialy the females, can sometimes be confused in flight with Clouded Apollo (Parnassius mnemosyne), the latter a very local species occuring mostly in the mountains. Female Black-veined Whites in particular, with the semi-transparent wings and similar size and not disimilar flight, can look very like a worn Clouded Apollo in flight. 

 

It overwinters in a communal larval web on stems of the host plant.

Overwinters as Overwinters as a larva.

Wingspan: 69-76mm
Foodplant(s): Rosaceae (Rosaceae spp.), Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), hawthorns (Crataegus spp.)
Flying: One generation, early May to July
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Least Concern

Habitat

Scrubby meadows and hillsides, woodland glades, orchards and gardens.

Regional Information

Recorded in 120 (6.3%) of the 1900 10km squares of Bulgaria.

Last recorded in June 2019

Recorded date range (Adult): 07 May to 22 July

Recorded date range (Larva/Leafmine): 04 May to 05 May

Recorded date range (Pupa): 18 June to 18 June

Similar Species
Bansko, Pirin Mtns., 6th July 2006
Bansko, Pirin Mtns., 6th July 2006
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Clouded Apollo Parnassius mnemosyne

Least Concern

Larva/Leafmine:
Larva Type:
Hairy
Colours:
Black, red, white, orange
No. of Proleg Pairs:
5