Large White

Pieris brassicae

One of the largest butterfly species seen in Hainault Forest. It has a wingspan reaching 70mm across. The white forewings have black tips extending down the wing edge. Females have two spots on the forewings, not present in males. The wings have creamy-white undersides. Its caterpillars feed on plants in the Cabbage family.

Large White

Pieris brassicae

One of the largest butterfly species seen in Hainault Forest. It has a wingspan reaching 70mm across. The white forewings have black tips extending down the wing edge. Females have two spots on the forewings, not present in males. The wings have creamy-white undersides. Its caterpillars feed on plants in the Cabbage family.

Small White

Pieris rapae

Very much like the Large White, but smaller. The caterpillars feed on members of the Cabbage family.

Green-veined White

Pieris napi

The white wings have prominent greenish veins on the hind wing. The upper wings have one or more spots. The caterpillars feed on plants in the Cabbage family.

Green-veined White

Pieris napi

The white wings have prominent greenish veins on the hind wing. The upper wings have one or more spots. The caterpillars feed on plants in the Cabbage family.

Orange-tip

Anthocharis cardamines

Males are white with bright orange wing tips. Females are white with black wing tips. Both sexes have mottled green underwings.

Orange-tip

Anthocharis cardamines

Males are white with bright orange wing tips. Females are white with black wing tips. Both sexes have mottled green underwings.

Orange-tip

Anthocharis cardamines

Males are white with bright orange wing tips. Females are white with black wing tips. Both sexes have mottled green underwings.

Orange-tip

Anthocharis cardamines

Males are white with bright orange wing tips. Females are white with black wing tips. Both sexes have mottled green underwings.

Orange-tip

Anthocharis cardamines

Males are white with bright orange wing tips. Females are white with black wing tips. Both sexes have mottled green underwings.

Clouded Yellow

Colias croceus

The Clouded Yellow is an attractive immigrant normally originating from North Africa and Southern Europe. Numbers vary and some years we don't see them at all in Hainault Forest. If this species does turn up it is usually in ones and twos and hanging around Michaelmas Daisies near Hainault Lake. 

Brimstone

Gonepteryx rhamni

Males have yellowish-green underwings and yellow upperwings. Female wings are very pale green or nearly white. They sometimes rest under bramble and can be difficult to spot. The caterpillars feed on Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn.

Brimstone

Gonepteryx rhamni

Males have yellowish-green underwings and yellow upperwings. Female wings are very pale green or nearly white. They sometimes rest under bramble and can be difficult to spot. The caterpillars feed on Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn.

Brimstone

Gonepteryx rhamni

Males have yellowish-green underwings and yellow upperwings. Female wings are very pale green or nearly white. They sometimes rest under bramble and can be difficult to spot. The caterpillars feed on Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn.

Brimstone

Gonepteryx rhamni

Males have yellowish-green underwings and yellow upperwings. Female wings are very pale green or nearly white. They sometimes rest under bramble and can be difficult to spot. The caterpillars feed on Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn.

Brimstone

Gonepteryx rhamni

Males have yellowish-green underwings and yellow upperwings. Female wings are very pale green or nearly white. They sometimes rest under bramble and can be difficult to spot. The caterpillars feed on Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn.

Brimstone

Gonepteryx rhamni

Males have yellowish-green underwings and yellow upperwings. Female wings are very pale green or nearly white. They sometimes rest under bramble and can be difficult to spot. The caterpillars feed on Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn.