Orange-tips are commonly seen in spring and early summer.
Common and widespread, a medium sized butterfly of gardens and hedgerows. The males are unmistakeable; white butterflies with bright orange wing tips. Females are white with black wing tips. Both have mottled green underwings. Small Whites are similar to the female but without underwing markings.
Size and Family
Family – Whites and yellows
Medium Sized
Wing Span Range (male to female) – 45-50mm
Conservation status
UK BAP statusNot listed
Butterfly Conservation priorityLow
European statusNot threatened
Caterpillar Foodplants
Several crucifers are used, especially Cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis) in damp meadows and Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) along road verges and ditches. Occasionally, it uses Hedge Mustard (Sisymbrium officinale), Winter-cress (Barbarea vulgaris), Turnip (Brassica rapa), Charlock (Sinapis avensis), Large Bitter-cress (C. amara), and Hairy Rock-cress (Arbis hirsuta). In addition it lays its eggs on Honesty (Lunaria annua) and Dame's-violet (Hesperis matronalis) in gardens, but larval survival is thought to be poor on these plants.
Distribution
Countries – England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland
Widespread throughout Britain and Ireland, having spread considerably in Scotland over the past 30 years
Distribution Trend Since 1970’s = Britain+7%
Habitat
Orange-tips prefer damp habitats such as meadows, woodland glades, hedgerows and the banks of streams and rivers, but readily visits gardens.
