Orange Tip
FamilyPieridae
Scientific NameAnthocharis cardamines
RangeEurope, Asia
HabitatDamp meadows, hedgerows
About the Orange Tip
One of the first signs of spring in Europe. Only the males have the bright orange wing tips; females are white with gray tips. Both have mottled green undersides that camouflage them on flower heads when at rest. Caterpillars feed on the seed pods of cuckooflower and garlic mustard. The caterpillars are cannibalistic and will eat smaller rivals on the same plant.
Related Species
Brimstone
Likely the original butter fly — the word butterfly may derive from butter-colou...
Cabbage White
The butterfly most people see most often. Introduced to North America in the 186...
Clouded Yellow
A deep yellow butterfly with black wing borders that migrates north from souther...
Large White
A familiar white butterfly whose caterpillars are a pest of cabbages and other b...