The Green-veined White is one of the most widespread species in the British Isles, and it is especially common in damp grasslands and woodland rides. It gets its name from the often beautiful and variable markings on the undersides of its wings, although there tends to be some general correlation in the appearance of individuals within a particular seasonal brood. In most parts of Britain it is double brooded and there is small third brood in warm years.
The egg and larva
The butterfly utilises many of the larval host plants favoured by other species of White, including Cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis), Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata), Wild Cabbage (Brassica oleracea), Water Cress (Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum) and various crucifers as well as Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus). The pale conical eggs are laid singly on the host plant and look very similar to those of the Small White.
However, on one occasion I saw a female mistakenly lay an egg on a nettle leaf which was in close proximity to the intended Garlic Mustard food plant. I resolved this situation later.
The young larva is very pale when it hatches and will consume part or all of its eggshell before starting on the leaves of the plant. It soon acquires its green colouration and has a close resemblance to the appearance of the larva of the Small White.
The early instars feed underneath the leaves of the food plant, forming tell-tale holes.
One difference between this and the larva of the Small White is that the GVW does not have a strong the pale yellow stripe down its back, however it can sometimes be visible in the 4th instar, but is gone by the 5th instar. The principal diagnostic feature differentiating it from the larva of its close relative is the colouration around the spiracles which lie along the flank of the caterpillar.
When ready to pupate the larva usually leaves the food plant to find a sheltered spot low down in vegetation, although it has also been found to utilise posts, fences and tree trunks.
Green-veined White (Early Stages)
- Vince Massimo
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- Location: Crawley, Sussex
- Vince Massimo
- Administrator & Stock Contributor
- Posts: 1858
- Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2008 7:36 pm
- Location: Crawley, Sussex
Re: Green-veined White (Early Stages)
THE PUPA
Not only can pupae of this species be characterised by different colour forms (green and brown), but also by the function that they serve. There is a soft form which specifically gives rise to an adult in the same season. This can come in a variety of colours and, because it does not have survive through the winter, has a thinner and more translucent pupal case. The over-wintering form has an altogether more robust casing, with particularly noticeable raised and thickened veins on the wing covers.
Both forms of pupa illustrated above came from eggs from the same female which were laid on the same day. Two produced adults in 12 days from soft pupae, while the third resulted in an overwintering pupa.
The following example is a green form which developed into a female in 11 days.
The following is the development of a brown form of the pupa which overwintered and produced a male.
In this case, commencing at 7.39pm, it took the adult 60 seconds to emerge. The fact that it was male was already known by the markings showing through the transparent pupal case, but it was surprising to see that the underside was so beautifully marked. It was released 40 hours later when weather conditions permitted.
Reading References:
The Butterflies of Britain and Ireland (Thomas and Lewington 2014)
UK Butterflies Website
Not only can pupae of this species be characterised by different colour forms (green and brown), but also by the function that they serve. There is a soft form which specifically gives rise to an adult in the same season. This can come in a variety of colours and, because it does not have survive through the winter, has a thinner and more translucent pupal case. The over-wintering form has an altogether more robust casing, with particularly noticeable raised and thickened veins on the wing covers.
Both forms of pupa illustrated above came from eggs from the same female which were laid on the same day. Two produced adults in 12 days from soft pupae, while the third resulted in an overwintering pupa.
The following example is a green form which developed into a female in 11 days.
The following is the development of a brown form of the pupa which overwintered and produced a male.
In this case, commencing at 7.39pm, it took the adult 60 seconds to emerge. The fact that it was male was already known by the markings showing through the transparent pupal case, but it was surprising to see that the underside was so beautifully marked. It was released 40 hours later when weather conditions permitted.
Reading References:
The Butterflies of Britain and Ireland (Thomas and Lewington 2014)
UK Butterflies Website
- Vince Massimo
- Administrator & Stock Contributor
- Posts: 1858
- Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2008 7:36 pm
- Location: Crawley, Sussex
Re: Green-veined White (Early Stages)
Reference Images of Adults
As the early stages of this species can look so similar to those of the Small White, you can see those details here:
viewtopic.php?f=37&t=4681
Vince
As the early stages of this species can look so similar to those of the Small White, you can see those details here:
viewtopic.php?f=37&t=4681
Vince
- Vince Massimo
- Administrator & Stock Contributor
- Posts: 1858
- Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2008 7:36 pm
- Location: Crawley, Sussex
Re: Green-veined White (Early Stages)
This report has now been completely revised with many new images and text changes. In order to avoid any confusion, all reference to the original has been removed (including comments). I was pleased to get the opportunity of updating it and so a fresh start was considered the best way of presentation
.
Vince
Further significant revisions were made on 23rd July 2017, including additional images.
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Vince
Further significant revisions were made on 23rd July 2017, including additional images.