Green-veined White (Early Stages)
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2014 12:11 pm
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.
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.