BUTTERFLIES

GREEN-VEINED WHITE:

The Latin name for this butterfly is Pieris napi.

This butterfly is one of the first spring butterflies. It is generally distributed in the wild from northern Africa, through Europe and Asia, to Japan.

The green-veined white is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about 5cm. The underside of this butterfly has broad greyish-green stripes along most of the veins, especially in the spring generation. The female has more spots on the forewing than the male.

It flies from April to September. It lays its eggs singly on wild species of the cabbage family, such as lady's smock or garlic mustard.

This butterfly prefers damp habitats such as meadows, fields and waysides, where its caterpillar plant food exists.