Black-Veined White

Adventure step • Meet the species

Overview

The Black-Veined White is a striking butterfly with distinctive white wings prominently marked by black veins, creating a delicate web-like pattern across its surface. With a wingspan of 5-7 centimeters, it is one of the larger members of the Pieridae family. The wings appear semi-transparent due to the absence of scales along the veins, giving the butterfly its characteristic appearance. Females tend to have slightly heavier and darker wing markings than males, though both sexes share the same elegant vein structure. This fascinating species undergoes complete metamorphosis from egg to adult. Eggs are laid in clusters on host plants including hawthorn, blackthorn, and various fruit trees such as apple, cherry, and plum. The caterpillars are highly social, living together in communal silk tents, especially during their early instars. They are greyish with orange and black stripes along their sides and covered in fine hairs. The chrysalis is yellowish to green with black spots and attaches upright to plant stems or branches. Unfortunately, the Black-Veined White has declined dramatically across much of its range. In Sweden and large parts of Northern Europe, the species is now extremely rare or locally extinct, making it one of the most threatened butterflies in the region. Loss of suitable habitats, intensive agriculture with pesticide use, and declining availability of host plants have contributed to its decline. In some areas, conservation efforts are now underway to restore populations. The butterfly prefers warm, sun-exposed environments with abundant host plants. It flies in one or two generations per year depending on climate, typically from May to July. Adults are often seen seeking nectar from wild flowers such as thistles, field thistles, and clover. The Black-Veined White has an elegant, gliding flight pattern and can be observed both alone and in small groups when basking or visiting flower resources.