description Orange Tip Overview
The Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines) is a butterfly species belonging to the family Pieridae, found across Europe and temperate parts of Asia. It exhibits distinct sexual dimorphism; males feature bright orange patches on the tips of their forewings, while females have black or gray wingtips. The species typically produces one generation per year, with adults emerging in early spring. Females lay eggs on host plants such as cuckooflower and garlic mustard.
insights Ranking position
Orange Tip ranks #59 of 310 in the Butterfly ranking, behind Canadian Tiger Swallowtail, ahead of Atala Butterfly.
help Orange Tip FAQ
How can you tell a male Orange Tip from a female?
Male Anthocharis cardamines have conspicuous orange patches at the tips of their forewings. Females lack those orange patches and can resemble other white butterflies, although both sexes have mottled green undersides on the hindwings.
Which plants do Orange Tip caterpillars feed on?
The caterpillars feed mainly on plants in the mustard family, including cuckooflower and garlic mustard. Females generally place eggs near flower heads because the larvae eat developing flowers and seed pods.
When can Orange Tip butterflies be seen in Britain?
Adults are strongly associated with spring and are commonly seen from roughly April into June in Britain. The species normally has one generation a year and spends much of the remaining cycle as a chrysalis.
Why are the undersides of Orange Tip wings green and mottled?
The pattern is created by a mixture of dark and pale scales rather than a flat green pigment. When the butterfly closes its wings among spring vegetation, that marbling provides effective camouflage.
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