The Green-veined White is possibly Ireland’s commonest butterfly.  It gets its name from the greyish-green appearance of its underside veins. It generally has two broods in a year with the spring brood being more heavily-marked than the summer one. It has a preference for damp or lush areas. Similar species occur in some European mountain ranges but these typically have much lighter or much heavier markings.

Distribution: All Europe except Crete, Sardinia and several small islands

Flight Period: April-September in multiple broods.

Habitat: Woodland edges and clearings, damp meadows, gardens and field margins up to 2000m.

Foodplants: Cuckoo flower (Cardamine pratensis), Watercress (Nasturtium officinale), Honesty (Lunaria annua)and various other Brassicae.

Nectar Sources: Dandelions (Taraxacum), buttercups (Ranunculus), Geraniums (Geranium), vetches (Fabaceae), Cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis) and other flowers.

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