Pierids (Whites & Yellows)
A large family of light or brightly coloured butterflies of medium size, containing some of the few species regarded as pests by gardeners and vegetable growers. Skittle-shaped eggs, laid either singly or in clusters, give rise to voracious, usually green caterpillars which feed aggressively on vegetable matter. Containing unpleasant chemicals to deter predators, those larvae that survive form chrysalises with pointed or beak-shaped heads held by a silken pad and girdle, varying in colour according to the background on which they are formed. .
Green-veined White (Pieris napi)
Green-veined White (Pieris napi)

Green-veined White (Pieris napi)
Family: Pieridae
Subfamily: Pierinae
Tribe: Pierini
Genus: Pieris
Species: napi
Subspecies: sabellicae, thomsoni, britannica

Key ID Features:
Similarly to Small White with pale yellowish underside but with veins bordered by dark, grey-green scales.
Upper wings show small,dark, triangular markings along wing margins.

Seen in UK: April -September

This is a common butterfly of damp grassland and woodland rides and is often mistaken for its cousin, the Small White. It can be found from spring through to autumn in parks and gardens, as well as less-urban areas such as meadows and woodland rides. The so-called green veins on the underside of the adults are, in fact, an illusion created by a subtle combination of yellow and black scales. This is one of the most widespread species found in the British Isles and can be found almost everywhere although it is absent from Shetland and areas of the Scottish Highlands.

Text (c) UK Butterflies, used with permission
For more information click here

Photographer: Tim Tapley

Green-veined White (Pieris napi)

Green-veined White (Pieris napi)
Family: Pieridae
Subfamily: Pierinae
Tribe: Pierini
Genus: Pieris
Species: napi
Subspecies: sabellicae, thomsoni, britannica

Key ID Features:
Similarly to Small White with pale yellowish underside but with veins bordered by dark, grey-green scales.
Upper wings show small,dark, triangular markings along wing margins.

Seen in UK: April -September

This is a common butterfly of damp grassland and woodland rides and is often mistaken for its cousin, the Small White. It can be found from spring through to autumn in parks and gardens, as well as less-urban areas such as meadows and woodland rides. The so-called green veins on the underside of the adults are, in fact, an illusion created by a subtle combination of yellow and black scales. This is one of the most widespread species found in the British Isles and can be found almost everywhere although it is absent from Shetland and areas of the Scottish Highlands.

Text (c) UK Butterflies, used with permission
For more information click here

Photographer: Tim Tapley