A common species in the U.K. with numbers boosted annually by a large influx of immigrant insects arriving in Britain from Northern Europe. This butterfly is considered to be a pest by farmers due to the caterpillars liking for Brassica species including cabbages and Brussels sprouts, although they also feed on wild mignonette and nasturtium leaves. Generally less common than the small white, or the green veined white in Sutton Park, this species appears to have diminished somewhat in recent years and is more often encountered feeding on the flowers in local gardens than it is in Sutton Park. With up to three broods in a season, this butterfly can be seen on the wing from late February until October.

Another very common, nomadic species, boosted annually in numbers by an influx of continental immigrants. Similar, but smaller in size than the large white. On the wing between March and October, this butterfly can be found across all parts of Sutton Park except in dense woodland. The Small White has up to three broods in a season. Caterpillar food plants: All cabbage species and nasturtium.

Abundant everywhere, especially in damper places; during some years this species can probably be the most commonly encountered butterfly in Sutton Park. Double brooded and flying between March and September, the G.V.W. can easily be mistaken for the female orange tip at a distance during the springtime when flight periods coincide. Caterpillar food plants include: water cress, cuckoo flower, garlic mustard and hedge mustard.

A common species throughout lowland England and Wales, the Orange Tip is on the wing between April and late June. Only the male has the striking orange tips to his wings the female being often mistaken at a distance for the less attractive green veined white. A nomadic resident that finds it's way in good numbers across most parts of Sutton Park and the surrounding area. Caterpillar food plants: cuckoo flower, garlic mustard.

The Brimstone appears in fair numbers during most years in Sutton Park. They first appear in early spring after hibernating throughout the winter as adult insects. Common in southern parts of England and Wales, as well as in parts of Cumbria and North Lancashire in the north; this butterfly can be found flying through woodland glades and along hedgerows and woodland edges, wherever the caterpillar food plants of buckthorn or alder buckthorn occur. Flying on warm sunny days from February to October, adult insects can be found during most months of the year. Only the males have the colourful bright yellow wings, the females being a duller greenish white in colour.

A resident of Africa and Southern Europe this species makes an irregular migration annually to the UK. Although varying greatly in numbers from year to year the butterfly is seldom common, unlike the Red Admiral or the Painted Lady, (Britain's two other major immigrant species). Recorded annually from southern coastal regions, the Clouded Yellow diminishes in numbers as it spreads north as far as Mid Scotland and only occasionally is the species abundant. Clouded Yellows cannot survive the British winter and will die or migrate south in the autumn. It is only on rare occasions that the butterflies reach Sutton Park, although the Clouded Yellow was included in the 1965 Sutton Park guide book as a species likely to be encountered. Caterpillar food plants: Clover species, Lucerne, birds foot trefoil and various vetches.