Leptidea reali
Template:Short description Template:Speciesbox
Leptidea reali, the Réal's wood white, is a butterfly of the family Pieridae.
Taxonomy
A 2011 study using karyotype analysis and analysis of mitochondrial nuclear DNA markers concluded that Leptidea reali is one of three members of a cryptic species complex which also includes Leptidea sinapis and a new species Leptidea juvernica.[1]
Distribution
Leptidea reali is known to occur in Spain, Italy and southern France.[1] L. reali was formerly thought to occur in Ireland[2] but this population is now known to be L. juvernica.[3] Since the three species look and behave similarly, further research is needed to discover their true distribution; indeed on the continent the current known distribution of L. reali is suspiciously patchy.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". L. reali can be separated from L. sinapis by analysis of the male genital morphology, but it cannot be reliably separated this way from L. juvernica.[1]
Field lepidopterists have reported behavioural differences between L. reali and L. sinapis with Réal's being described as a stronger flier and with a preference for more open habitats.[4]Template:Obsolete source
Life cycle and food plants
The life cycle, flight period and food plants appear at present to be similar to the wood white.
References
- David Tomlinson & Rob Sill Britain's Butterflies Wild Guides
- Nelson, B., Hughes M., Nash, R. and Warren, M.S., 2001 Leptidea reali Reissinger 1989 a butterfly species new to Britain and Ireland. Entomologist's Record and Journal of Variation 113: 97-101.
- Nash, R., Hughes, M., Nelson, B., and Warren, M., 2001 Real's Wood White Leptidea reali Reissinger, 1989 A Butterfly new to Britain and Ireland Atropos 14: 12-15.
External links
- Butterfly Conservation Ireland Summary of the sinapis cryptic species complex.