The Green-veined White is a smallish butterfly, similar on the top to other Whites. It is white with black veins and spots and black tips to the wings. It is the colouring of the underside which gives this species its name, and even then, it is a misnomer. The underside of the forewing is white with pale yellow tips, and the underside of the hind wing is pale yellow. The veins are outlined in black, which gives the illusion of green. When it settles, with its wings closed, only the yellow parts of the wings are visible. The Green-veined White sometimes visits gardens, but prefers open countryside.
The caterpillar is green with yellow rings round the spiracles. It eats Charlock, Garlic Mustard and other cruciferous plants, but the eggs are not laid on cultivated cabbage plants.
