(Hübner, 1806)
Mountain Green-veined White
Description:
The butterfly of the Mountain Green-veined White strongly resembles that of the Green-veined White (P. napi). The eggs, caterpillers and chrysalises are also almost indistinguishable. In some places, such as in the Alps and the Jura Mountains, these species occur together. The Mountain Green-veined White is found in flower-rich grasslands along river banks, and at woodland edges. Buckler Mustard (Biscutella laevigata), pennycresses (Thlaspi spp.) and bittercresses (Cardamine spp.) are used as food plants.
The female, heavily dusted on her upperside with yellow or grey, lays her eggs singly on the flowers or leaves of the larval food plant. She shows a preference for smaller plants growing on poor ground. It has one or two generations a year and hibernates in the pupal stage.
Habitat:
Alpine grasslands
Coniferous woodland
Similar species:
Pieris napi
Pieris balcana