Very Yellow Green Veined White Butterfly?

[jdoherty]

I took this photo in Monkstown Wood, Newtownabbey, N.Ireland in July 2007. I think it is a green veined white butterfly but I have never seen one quite so yellow in colour. Is there any reason for this colouration? Is it male or female and and can someone provide an ID?

Many thanks, John.

[Ollie]

Can't explain the yellow John or tell you if it's male or female. Not a lot of use really am I, but I can tell you it's a cracking shot
Roger

[jdoherty]

Originally Posted by Ollie

Can't explain the yellow John or tell you if it's male or female. Not a lot of use really am I, but I can tell you it's a cracking shot
Roger

Thanks Roger. I was very pleased with the shot as it was the only one I managed before it took off. I was really surprised by the colour.

John

[aeshna5]

I have seen rather yellow Green-veined Whites. The spring brood tend to show more prominent vein markings.

Don't think you can sex it from underside- you will need to see spots (if present) on the upperwing.

[Wild-Woman]

Hi John.
This is an extract from Collins Field Guide
A rare but recurrent aberration in most populations has white gc (ground colour) on all wing surfaces replaced by bright yellow (f. sulphurea Schoyen): etc......

Hope this helps.

Jules

[Neil Jones]

It is rather yellow. You can't sex this specimen as it is impossible to see the characteristics.

One way to sex these Green Veined White's is to smell them. The male has a lemon scent.

[jdoherty]

Thanks everyone for all you information. I just thought it was a nice specimen to share with WAB members.

John

[jdoherty]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

Hi John.
This is an extract from Collins Field Guide
A rare but recurrent aberration in most populations has white gc (ground colour) on all wing surfaces replaced by bright yellow (f. sulphurea Schoyen): etc......

Hope this helps.

Jules

Thanks Jules. It does indeed help. I had never before seen one quite like this.

John

[Lance Morgan]

I think this is one of the subspecies known as the irish GVW (britannicus). Which has more prominent yellowish colouration and colour veins.

[jdoherty]

Originally Posted by Lance Morgan

I think this is one of the subspecies known as the irish GVW (britannicus). Which has more prominent yellowish colouration and colour veins.

Thanks for the info Lance. I didn't even know that an Irish subspecies existed.

John