Male. Taken at Aston, Oxon., on April 10th 2025. (© David Hastings)
(1/1000th sec at f/8)

Male underside. Taken at Radley Lakes, Oxon., on April 4th 2020. (© David Hastings)
(1/500th sec at f11)

Female. Taken at Abingdon, Oxon., on April 23rd 2021. (© David Hastings)
(1/1250th sec at f11)

Female underside. Taken at Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon., on May 26th 2020. (© David Hastings)
(1/320th sec at f13)

Mating pair. Taken at Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon., on May 5th 2012. (© David Hastings)
(1/200th sec at f13)

Description

Family: Pieridae

Wing span: 43 - 51 mm

The Orange-tip exhibits significant sexual dimorphism. The male has the bright orange forewings tips that gives this butterfly its name. The orange tips are absent in the female. Both sexes have an intricate underside pattern of green blotches formed by a combination of yellow and black scales. When at rest on a flowerhead of the foodplant this butterfly so well camouflaged that an adult resting just a few feet away can easily be missed.

This species is found throughout most of the British Isles, having expanded its range in recent years.

The Orange-tip has a wide range of habitats which include country lanes, hedgerows, riverbanks, woodland margins and rides, and damp meadows. It will also turn up in gardens.

There is usually a single brood each year, with adults flying from the beginning of April, through May and into June. There can be a partial second brood in August in good years. The pupa is the over-wintering stage.

The main larval foodplants are Cuckoo-flower and Garlic Mustard.

Adults take nectar from flowers such as Garlic Mustard, Cuckoo-flower and Bluebell.

The males spend a lot of time patrolling along hedgerows and damp woodland rides in search of females.

Least Concern

Earliest UK sighting: 28th March ; Latest UK sighting: 22nd June

Sightings