The dappled white butterfly (Euchloe ausonia) is only found
in southern Europe where it inhabits flowery meadows up to around 2000 metres.
There are three varieties of dappled white, the commonest being the one that is
found at lower latitudes.
The wingspan is up to 4.8 centimetres. The wings are white
with black tips and a black spot on each forewing. There are black and yellow
scales on the underside. Females are darker than males.
The caterpillar is green with a white line down the sides,
yellow stripes down the back and small black spots all over. The pupa is straw
coloured and looks like a dead leaf.
The dappled white flies in early summer at higher latitudes
and in early and late spring in the lowlands. The food plant is candytuft and
related species.
© John Welford
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