Green-veined White (Pieris napi)

The Green-veined White (Pieris napi) is a butterfly species belonging to the Pieridae family. Here’s a detailed description:

• Appearance: The Green-veined White is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan ranging from 40 to 50 millimeters. It has predominantly white wings with distinctive greenish veins running across the underside, giving it its name. The upper side of the wings is white with blackish-gray markings near the tips. Males and females are similar in appearance, although females may have more pronounced markings.
• Habitat: This butterfly species is commonly found in a variety of habitats, including meadows, grasslands, woodland edges, gardens, and urban areas. It tends to favor open spaces with abundant flowering plants, where both adults and larvae can find suitable food sources.
• Range: The Green-veined White is distributed across much of Europe, including the British Isles, Scandinavia, Central Europe, and extending into Asia. It also occurs in parts of North America, where it has been introduced.
• Flight Period: The flight period of the Green-veined White typically occurs from late spring to early autumn, with peak activity during the summer months. Adults can be observed flying low to the ground, often among vegetation, while searching for nectar sources and suitable breeding sites.
• Life Cycle: Like other butterflies, the Green-veined White undergoes a complete metamorphosis, progressing through egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult stages. The larvae feed on various species of cruciferous plants, including cabbage, mustard, and wild crucifers, while the adults primarily feed on flower nectar.
• Conservation: The Green-veined White is generally not considered threatened and is widespread across its range. However, like many butterfly species, it may face local population declines due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and other factors. Conservation efforts may include habitat preservation, planting of nectar-rich flowers, and reducing pesticide usage in areas where the species occurs.

The Green-veined White is a beautiful and widely recognized butterfly species, valued for its ecological role as a pollinator and its aesthetic appeal in natural and cultivated landscapes.

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