Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines)
Peak District local information
When to see: April to June
Where to see: Meadows
Behaviour: Patrol
Wingspan: 40-52mm
Caterpillar food plant: Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis), Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
Peak District status: A common and widespread resident in various habitats. Seen frequently in damp rushy areas where one of its main food plants, Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis) grows, but does not occur as high up moorland valleys as Green-veined White. Single-brooded, flying from late April or early May to June, and exceptionally into July.
Resources
Watch a film about the Life Cycle of the Orange Tip butterfly (Windows Media Audio/Video File 3.66Mb - © MMIV Dream Catcher Films). The film will appear in the Butterfly Conservation Education Pack that will be available to schools next year.
