Wood White

Description:

The Wood White (Leptidea sinapis) looks very similar to the Cryptic Wood White (Leptidea juvernica) and the Réal's Wood White (Leptidea reali).
All three species always rests with their wings against each other, which makes their upper surface difficult to study.
Their long, round-tipped wings and slow, fluttering flying style are characteristic properties of these three Wood White species, and it is very difficult to tell them apart with absolute certainty.
The only conclusive way to separate the three species is by close examination of the genitalia and DNA analysis.
However, Réal's Wood White is found in Italy, Spain and France so the species on the photos are either Wood Whites or Cryptic Wood Whites.
Both species are found in Germany and some other European countries.

1st & 2nd photo: Nature Reserve Schlangenberg, Breinigerberg, North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany, 3 May 2022
3rd & 4th photo: Nature Reserve Schlangenberg, Breinigerberg, North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany, 7 August 2022

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