Widespread and common throughout Britain and Ireland.
Wings white with prominent greenish veins on hind wing. Upper wings have one or more spots. Small White is similar but lacks the green veins.
Size and Family
Family – Whites and yellows
Medium Sized
Wing Span Range (male to female) - 50mm
Conservation status
UK BAP statusNot listed
Butterfly Conservation priorityLow
European statusNot threatened
Caterpillar Foodplants
A range of wild crucifers is usedGarlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata), Cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis), Hedge Mustard (Sisymbrium officinale) Water- cress (Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum), Charlock (Sinapis arvensis), Large Bitter-cress (C. amara), Wild Cabbage (Brassica oleracea), and Wild Radish (Raphanus raphanistrum). Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) and cultivated crucifers are used occassionally.
Distribution
Countries – England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
Widespread throughout Britain and Ireland
Distribution Trend Since 1970’s = Britain-1%
Habitat
A common butterfly that prefers damp, lush vegetation where the foodplant is found. It usually occurs in hedgerows, ditches, banks of rivers, lakes and ponds, damp meadows, moorland and woodland rides and edges. The butterfly can be found in gardens but favours damp areas.
