Green-veined White

Here's the very fresh-looking Green-veined White (Pieris napi) that we saw on today's walk. It's probably Ireland’s most common butterfly. It is one of six members of the Pieridae family resident in Ireland. Among the others are the Orange-tip.

The veins of the hindwings covered with black scales give it its trademark green appearance. The larval foodplants include lady's smock and other cresses. The adult butterflies can be seen flying between April and September.