description Orange-tip Butterfly Overview
The orange-tip, Anthocharis cardamines, is a butterfly in the family Pieridae distributed across much of Europe and temperate Asia. Males have conspicuous orange patches at the tips of their white forewings, while females lack the orange coloration; both sexes have mottled green markings beneath the hindwings. Its larvae commonly feed on cuckooflower and garlic mustard, and adults occur in meadows, hedgerows, and woodland margins.
help Orange-tip Butterfly FAQ
How do male and female Orange-tips differ?
Male Anthocharis cardamines butterflies have bright orange patches at the forewing tips, while females lack that orange coloration. Both sexes have the mottled green underside that helps them blend into vegetation.
Where does the Orange-tip live?
The Orange-tip occurs across much of Europe and temperate Asia. Its scientific name is Anthocharis cardamines, and it belongs to the white butterfly family Pieridae.
What do Orange-tip caterpillars eat?
The caterpillars feed on plants in the mustard family, especially cuckoo flower and garlic mustard. They often use the plant's seed pods, so flowering-season sightings do not show the whole breeding habitat.
Why is the underside of the Orange-tip green?
The underside is mottled green and white, a camouflage pattern that makes a resting butterfly resemble surrounding plants. This feature is shared by males and females even though only males have orange forewing tips.
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