orange-tip
ExploreInsects
orange-tip
Anthocharis cardamines
The orange-tip butterfly is a colorful insect with bright orange tips on its wings. It flits around gardens and fields, bringing joy with its beautiful colors during springtime.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The orange-tip is a medium-sized butterfly. Males boast vivid orange tips on their white forewings, contrasting with the mostly white females, which instead have distinct black wingtips. Both sexes share unique mottled green markings on the underside of their hindwings, resembling camouflage.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyPieridaeGenusAnthocharis
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Only the male orange-tip butterfly has bright orange wing tips; females are mostly white!
Orange-tip caterpillars are cannibalistic and will eat smaller siblings if food is scarce.
Their mottled green wing undersides are made of overlapping yellow and black scales, not green pigment!
These butterflies emerge early in spring, often being one of the first to be seen fluttering about.
Special abilities
Ability
Thorn Disguise
Orange-tip pupae can look exactly like a thorn or dead leaf, helping them hide from hungry predators while they transform.
Ability
Mustard Power
Orange-tip caterpillars can eat plants from the mustard family, using their natural chemicals to grow big and strong.
Ability
Zigzag Escape
Orange-tip butterflies can fly in quick, erratic zigzags, making it very hard for birds and other predators to catch them.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 45-50 mm
- Size
- 18-22 mm
- Lifespan
- 7-14 days
- Flight Speed
- 15-20 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Caterpillars munch on specific wild plants, while adult butterflies sip nectar from various flowers.
Age differences: Larvae consume leaves and seed pods of host plants, whereas adults feed exclusively on flower nectar.
Primary Foods
- Cuckoo flower nectar
- Garlic mustard nectar
- Hedge garlic leaves
- Cuckoo flower leaves
- Dandelion nectar
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
depends on
Cuckoo Flower
Cardamine pratensis
Main food source for caterpillars and adult nectar.
depends on
Garlic Mustard
Alliaria petiolata
Another key host plant for larvae and nectar for adults.
eaten by
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Great Tit
Parus major
A common woodland bird that preys on butterflies.
Traits
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
Orange-tip Butterfly
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Butterflies are gentle creatures; just watch them from a distance and don't try to catch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is orange-tip's wingspan?
45-50 mm
How big is orange-tip?
18-22 mm
How long does orange-tip live?
7-14 days
How fast can orange-tip fly?
15-20 km/h
What does orange-tip eat?
Caterpillars munch on specific wild plants, while adult butterflies sip nectar from various flowers.
Where is orange-tip usually found?
Grasslands
How does orange-tip hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does orange-tip have?
6
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