Orange Tip Butterfly

The Orange-tip is a true sign of spring, being one of the first species to emerge that has not overwintered as an adult, and can usually be seen betweens the months of April and July. It is found in a wide variety of habitats, including hedgerows, woodland rides and meadows, as well as farmland, gardens and parks. The foodplants of the caterpillars are garlic Mustard, cuckooflower and hedge mustard.

The male orange-tip is one of our most striking butterflies. His white fore-wings have an obvious fiery orange band across their tips which can be clearly seen in flight. Both male and female have intricately marked mossy green and white hind-wings which provide useful camouflage when they are at rest. It is only the males that have orange-tipped forewings; females have small black tips.

The butterfly seen here was photographed at Old Winchester Hill in Hampshire, about half way along the main road. Several other butterfly species can be seen here including Small Heath, Speckled Wood, Green Veined White, Adonis Blue and Clouded Yellow Butterflies, with June & July being the busiest months of the year.