Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Pieridae
- Subfamily: Pierinae
- Genus: Anthocharis
- Species: A. cardamines
Common name
Orange tip (British Isles) – named for the bright orange patch on the forewings of the males.
Description
Adult butterflies have a wingspan of 45–55 mm. Males display a distinctive orange–red patch on the upper side of the forewings, while females are predominantly white with modest black markings and lack the orange tip. Both sexes have a black fringe along the wing margins. The underside of the hindwings is pale yellowish‑white with faint black markings.
Distribution
Anthocharis cardamines occurs throughout much of the Palearctic region:
- Europe (including the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, Central and Eastern Europe)
- Extends eastward through Russia to Siberia, and into parts of Central Asia.
- Is also present in the western Himalayas.
Habitat
Prefers open, sunny habitats such as meadow edges, grasslands, woodland clearings, hedgerows, and cultivated fields where host plants are abundant. The species is typically found at low to moderate elevations, though it can occur up to 2,000 m in mountainous areas.
Life cycle
- Egg: Laid singly on the leaves of host plants.
- Larva (caterpillar): Greenish with a pale dorsal line; feeds primarily on the leaves of Brassicaceae (mustard family) plants, especially Cardamine spp., Alliaria petiolata, and Sinapis spp.
- Pupa: Forms a loose chrysalis attached to vegetation or ground litter; overwintering occurs in the pupal stage in most of its range.
- Adult: Emerges in spring, typically March–May in southern latitudes and April–June further north. Adults are diurnal and nectar on a variety of flowering plants, including bramble (Rubus spp.) and thistles (Cirsium spp.).
Behavior
Males patrol territories near host plants and perch on low vegetation to locate females. Courtship involves a brief aerial chase before copulation. Adults are strong fliers but usually remain close to suitable nectar sources.
Conservation status
The species is classified as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List due to its wide distribution and large, stable populations across most of its range. Local declines have been noted where intensive agriculture or habitat loss reduces availability of host plants.
Ecological significance
Acts as a pollinator for a range of flowering plants and serves as prey for insectivorous birds, spiders, and parasitoid wasps. Its presence is often used as an indicator of healthy, semi‑natural grassland habitats.
References
- Eliot, J. N. (1973). The Butterflies of the United Kingdom and Ireland. Collins.
- Tolman, T., & Lewington, R. (1997). The Butterflies of Britain and Europe. HarperCollins.
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Anthocharis cardamines assessment (2022).
(All information reflects current encyclopedic knowledge; no unverified speculation is included.)
