Eastern Bath White

Pontia edusa (Fabricius, 1777)

Status

Description

A medium sized white butterfly with broken black tips to the forewing upperside, and a marbled green hindwing underside. The white spots in the black tip of the forewing distinguish it from female Anthocharis cardamines. The large discoidal black spot, crossed with white veins on the forewing, the black markings on the upperside hindwing, and irregular white marks on the underside hindwing distinguish it from Euchloe ausonia. The male and female is similar, except the female has more extensive black markings on the hindwing upperside. 

Habitat Requirements

This migratory butterfly probably uses Corfu as a refueling stop rather than a breeding ground. Subsequently, it can on occasions be encountered nectaring, near the coast. As is the case with most migrants it is more abundant in the autumn and its most frequently seen on Aromatic Inula Dittrichia vicosa. 

Larval Foodplants

Aurinia saxatilis, Swine-cress Lepidium coronopus, Lesser Swinecress Lepidium didymum, Hoary Cress Lepidium draba, Wild Mignonette Reseda lutea.

Observations

One of the rarer migrant species to be found on Corfu. There is currently considerable contention about the distribution of this species and that of Pontia daplidice. There is also evidence for a zone of hybridisation between the two species in northern Italy. Currently DNA analysis, genetalia examination and possibly the rearing of larvae are the best ways to determine the identification of these two species.

*The information provided in the tables below is based on verified sightings of the Eastern Bath White submitted via this website since 1st January 2021.

First and Last Sightings

Year First Last/latest # Days
2023 16/02/2023 17/11/2023 274 days
2022 10/02/2022 29/10/2022 261 days
2021 25/04/2021 05/11/2021 194 days

Number of Observations

Year Number of observations
2023 69
2022 61
2021 61
Grand Total 191

Distribution Map

Distribution maps for this species are currently unavailable.

Flight Times for the Eastern Bath White (2023)

The chart below shows flight data by month for 2023

Flight Times for the Eastern Bath White (All Data)

The chart below shows flight data by month since 1st January 2021

Taxonomy

  • Vernacular/Common Name: Eastern Bath White
  • Family: Pieridae (Swainson, 1820)
  • Sub-family: Pierinae (Swainson, 1820)
  • Tribe: Pierini (Duponchel, [1835])
  • Genus: Pontia (Fabricius, 1807)
  • Species: edusa (Fabricius, 1777)

References

For a list of references, please see our bibliography page.