• National Status: Common and widespread throughout the UK, range stable. Population trend 10 years +72%; since 1976 -7%.
• West Midlands Status: Recorded in almost all 10-km squares. Range stable including upland areas. Population trend 10 years – increasing.

• Hotspots: Almost anywhere the foodplants are present.

• Habitat: Prefers damp sheltered areas but also frequents meadows, hedgerows, gardens, rides and riversides.

• Flight Period: Double brooded with an occasional third brood in a warm summer.  The spring brood is much fewer in number than the summer brood which emerges in July. Most adults have gone by end of September but there are often a number of October sightings.

• Wingspan 40–52 mm.
• Adults

Life Cycle

Caterpillar Food Plant – The main foodplants are Charlock (Sinapis arvensis), Cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis), Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata), Hedge Mustard (Sisymbrium officinale), Large Bitter-cress (Cardamine amara), Water-cress (Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum), Wild Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) and Wild Radish (Raphanus raphanistrum). Crucifers (various) (Cruciferae family (various)) and Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) are also used.

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