24-7-2025 FOTA WILDLIFE PARK COBH, IRELAND - GREEN VEINED WHITE BUTTERFLY (Pieris napi)

A circumboreal species widespread across Europe and Asia, including the Indian subcontinent, Japan, the Maghreb and North America. It is found in meadows, hedgerows and woodland glades but not as often in gardens and parks like its close relatives the large and small whites, for which it is often mistaken. Like other "white" butterflies, the sexes differ. The female has two spots on each forewing, the male only one. The veins on the wings of the female are usually more heavily marked. The underside hindwings are pale yellow with the veins highlighted by black scales giving a greenish tint, hence green-veined white. Unlike the large and small whites, it rarely chooses garden cabbages to lay its eggs on, preferring wild crucifers. Males emit a sex pheromone that is perceptible to humans, citral, the basic flavor-imparting component of lemon peel oil.

Some authors consider the mustard white and West Virginia white of North America to be conspecific with P. napi  or consider P. napi to be a superspecies. Despite this, the American butterflies, unlike P. napi, cannot successfully use garlic mustard as a host plant. Females will lay eggs on it, mistaking this non-native species for a compatible native mustard, resulting in the death of the offspring. Classification is also an issue concerning the European dark-veined white.

A circumboreal species widespread across Europe and Asia, including the Indian subcontinent, Japan, the Maghreb and North America. It is found in meadows, hedgerows and woodland glades but not as often in gardens and parks like its close relatives the large and small whites, for which it is often mistaken. Like other "white" butterflies, the sexes differ. The female has two spots on each forewing, the male only one. The veins on the wings of the female are usually more heavily marked. The underside hindwings are pale yellow with the veins highlighted by black scales giving a greenish tint, hence green-veined white. Unlike the large and small whites, it rarely chooses garden cabbages to lay its eggs on, preferring wild crucifers. Males emit a sex pheromone that is perceptible to humans, citral, the basic flavor-imparting component of lemon peel oil.

Some authors consider the mustard white and West Virginia white of North America to be conspecific with P. napi  or consider P. napi to be a superspecies. Despite this, the American butterflies, unlike P. napi, cannot successfully use garlic mustard as a host plant. Females will lay eggs on it, mistaking this non-native species for a compatible native mustard, resulting in the death of the offspring. Classification is also an issue concerning the European dark-veined white.

26-9-2023 REVILLA, ARAGON - GREEN VEINED WHITE BUTTERFLY (Pieris napi)

 The green-veined white (Pieris napi) is a butterfly of the family Pieridae.

A circumboreal species widespread across Europe and Asia, including the Indian subcontinent, Japan, the Maghreb and North America. It is found in meadows, hedgerows and woodland glades but not as often in gardens and parks like its close relatives the large and small whites, for which it is often mistaken. Like other "white" butterflies, the sexes differ. The female has two spots on each forewing, the male only one. The veins on the wings of the female are usually more heavily marked. The underside hindwings are pale yellow with the veins highlighted by black scales giving a greenish tint, hence green-veined white. Unlike the large and small whites, it rarely chooses garden cabbages to lay its eggs on, preferring wild crucifers. Males emit a sex pheromone that is perceptible to humans, citral, the basic flavor-imparting component of lemon peel oil.

Some authors consider the mustard white and West Virginia white of North America to be conspecific with P. napi  or consider P. napi to be a superspecies. Despite this, the American butterflies, unlike P. napi, cannot successfully use garlic mustard as a host plant. Females will lay eggs on it, mistaking this non-native species for a compatible native mustard, resulting in the death of the offspring. Classification is also an issue concerning the European dark-veined white.

22-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - GREEN VEINED WHITE BUTTERFLY (Pieris napi)

The Green-veined White (Pieris napi) is a common, widespread butterfly belonging to the Pieridae family. Unlike its close relatives, the Large White and Small White, it is rarely a garden pest because its caterpillars feed primarily on wild crucifers rather than cultivated cabbages.

The easiest way to identify Pieris napi is by looking at its underwings, which feature prominent, beautifully distinct greenish-grey veins.

Underwing Markings

The underwing features highly visible yellow panels suffused with dark scales along the veins, giving it a characteristic "green-veined" appearance.

Upperside Markings

The upperside is mostly white with dark tips on the forewings. Females generally display two distinct black spots on each forewing, while males have only one or none.

Key Characteristics & Life Cycle

• Habitat: It strongly prefers damp areas with lush vegetation, such as hedgerows, woodland rides, riverbanks, and ditches.

• Diet: Caterpillars feed on wild crucifers like Cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis), Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata), and Hedge Mustard (Sisymbrium officinale). Adults feed on a variety of nectar-rich wildflowers.

• Flight Period: They usually produce two to three generations a year, flying from April to September in temperate regions.