Green Veined White

The Green Veined White butterfly has white wings, with prominent greenish veins on the hind wing. The upper wings have one or more black spots. It is often mistaken for its cousin, the Small White, which look the same with their wings open, but once the wings are closed the green veins markings tell them apart. The green veins on the underside of the wings are an illusion created by a subtle combination of yellow and black scales.

First-brood adults typically emerge in late April and gradually tail off through June. The second brood adults start to emerge in early July. On a good year, the second brood may emerge in late June and giving the opportunity for a third brood.

The Green Veined White favours damp areas with lush vegetation. They can be seen in hedgerows, along riverbanks, damp meadows, moorland and woodland rides and edges and also in gardens.

Garlic Mustard, Cuckooflower, Hedge Mustard, Watercress, Charlock, Large Bittercress, Wild Cabbage and Wild Radish are all food plants of the Green Veined White caterpillar.

The Green Veined White is one of the most widespread species found in Britian and can be found almost everywhere.