Whites, Yellows, and Sulphurs

The Pieridae are a well-known group of medium-sized butterflies. They usually have wings that are mainly white, yellow, or pale orange, often with black marks along the edges or tips. Males and females often look different, with males showing brighter, stronger colours. When they fly, they have a fluttering movement mixed with gliding. These butterflies can be found all over the UK in a variety of places such as gardens, meadows, woodland edges, and coastal areas. They are some of the most common butterflies here. This group includes familiar species like the Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Brimstone, and Clouded Yellow. Adult butterflies are often seen feeding on nectar from flowers, especially those with purple or yellow petals. The caterpillars of many types eat plants from the cabbage family, while others prefer plants like beans or buckthorns. Most of the species in Britain have several generations each year. Some of them also travel from Europe during certain times of the year.