Green-veined white
Pieris napi
Habitat
The Green-veined white can be seen everywhere in the Netherlands. This butterfly species inhabits wetter areas than the other Whites (Pieris). The wetter areas consist of marshes, hayfields and forest edges. However, you can also see this butterfly species in other biotopes, such as grasslands, gardens, parks and heaths. The Green-veined white usually flies in 3 generations. The first generation flies from the end of April to the beginning of June. The second and third generations have overlapping flight times, from the beginning of July to mid-September.
Appearance
Life cycle
The Green-veined white remains in the egg for 3 to 7 days. When the Green-veined white hatches from the egg, this butterfly species is still a caterpillar for 11 to 22 days. The caterpillar then pupates. The pupation of the first generation takes 7 to 13 days. During hibernation, pupation takes 150 to 330 days. After this, the Green-veined white lives as a butterfly for 9 to 18 days.
Host plants and nectar plants
Host plants are special plants on which butterflies, such as the Green-veined white, lay their eggs. When the eggs hatch, the caterpillars eat from these plants. In this way, the caterpillars grow until they are large and strong enough to change into butterflies. This is why host plants are essential for the survival of butterfly species, because without host plants there are no caterpillars and therefore ultimately no butterflies.
Each butterfly species has its own favourite plants. The host plants of the Green-veined white are Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), Cuckoo flower (Cardamine pratensis), Mustards (Brassicaceae), Rapeseed (Brassica napus), Garden nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus), Wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum), Large bitter-cress (Cardamine amara) and Charlock mustard (Sinapis arvensis).
Most butterfly species, such as the Green-veined white, need nectar to survive. Butterflies get nectar from nectar plants. Nectar is a viscous fluid that comes from flowers. This fluid contains a lot of sugar, small amounts of proteins and vitamins. Nectar provides the energy that the Green-veined white needs to be able to fly.
The nectar plants of the Green-veined white are Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), Cuckoo flower (Cardamine pratensis), Mustards (Brassicaceae), Guelder rose (Viburnum opulus), Lavender (Lavandula), Purpletop vervain (Verbena bonariensis), Rockcress (Arabis), Brassica (Brassica), Lunaria (Lunaria), Yellowcresses (Rorippa), Sinapis (Sinapis), Garden nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus), Field thistle (Cirsium arvense) and Marsh thistle (Cirsium palustre).
With fewer and fewer flowers in nature, it means that you see fewer and fewer butterflies. You can make a difference. Plant butterfly-friendly plants in your garden and give nature a future!
Caution with some plant species
Wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) is edible, but the stems are tough. The seeds are only poisonous if ingested in excess.
All parts of the Guelder rose (Viburnum opulus) are poisonous to humans.
