Green-veined white
Pieris napi
Size: wingspan 40-52mm.
Description: white or pale yellow wings with green grey veins on the underside. Both sexes have a dark tip on the forewing.
It is best to identify when the butterfly is at rest when the green-grey lines on the underwing are visible.
Habitat: flowery meadows, woodland margins and hedgerows. Larvae feed on plants in the cabbage family. Adults will nectar on flowers such as bluebell, buttercups or ragwort. Newly emerged adult males may be found on mud or other surfaces which are rich in nutrients.
Distribution: throughout most of the UK, not found in Shetland and areas of the Scottish Highlands.
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Upperwings of a female green-veined white (WTML) -
Underwings showing the green-grey veins (WTML)
Not to be confused with
Small white
Small whites have powder-yellow underwings (northeastwildlife.co.uk)
