Wingspan: 35–48 mm
Butterfly flight period: in two or three generations from March to October
Larval food plants: species from the crucifer family, for example garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), species from the genus Cardamine, rockcress (Arabis), mustard (Sinapis), often also cabbage (Brassica oleracea)
Pieris napi is easily distinguished from other whites of this genus (Pieris) by the dense greenish-grey dusting along the veins. This is most pronounced on the pale greenish-yellow underside of its hind wings. The Green-veined White is a highly variable species – the pattern on the wings varies considerably among butterflies of different generations. Thus the dusting along the veins in butterflies of the second and third generations is much less pronounced than in butterflies of the first generation.
This medium-sized white butterfly is widespread across Europe, from the northernmost parts of Scandinavia to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, it also occurs in Africa. It is also common here. It flies mainly over meadows, along forest edges and hedgerows, and in wooded river valleys from lowlands to high mountains.
