White Admiral (Ladoga camilla)

A White Admiral nectaring
on bramble blossom

White Admirals are woodland butterflies that in many years are moderately scarce in the New Forest. They are on the wing primarily from early July to early August.

National UK distribution is largely southerly - few occur much further north than the midland counties.

Both sexes are of similar appearance.

Population numbers tend to fluctuate annually - prolonged periods of poor weather in June are thought to significantly increase mortality rates during the insects' pupal stage.

Honeysuckle, usually in shaded situations, is the sole larval foodplant, whilst adults can be seen nectaring on bramble blossom along quiet rides in broad-leaved woodland, providing, of course, that the rides are not subject to excessive browsing by deer or commoners' stock.

Close views of White Admirals can sometimes be obtained, although when approached, these butterflies often seem to retreat to nectar or rest on brambles that are relatively inaccessible to humans, or else perch away from prying eyes, high up in the foliage of mature trees.

References:
The Butterflies of Hampshire: Matthew Oates, John Taverner, David Green et al
The Millennium Atlas of Butterflies in Britain and Ireland: Jim Asher, Martin Warren, Richard Fox, Paul Harding, Gail Jeffcoate and Stephen Jeffcoate