Falcate Orangetip
The Falcate Orangetip (Anthocharis midea) has a wingspan of 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inches. The upperside of the male wing has orange tips that are hooked. The females tips are also hooked, but they lack the orange color. Instead, they have only a little black coloration on the tip of the forewing. The underside of the forewing has a fine greenish marbling.
During the breeding season, the female will sit perched low to the ground while the male flies around looking for her. The female lays one egg on the flower stalk of the host plant. Host plants are plants in the Brassicaceae (mustard) family. Caterpillars feed on the host plant buds, seed pods, and flowers.
The adult Falcate Orangetip eats flower nectar of various types including the mustards, the violets, and other plants. They are found in open, wet woodlots near water, and in open swampy areas. They are occasionally found in dry woods and along ridgetops. They can be found from southern New England southwest to southern Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Local populations have also been found to the Florida panhandle, eastern Nebraska, and southern Wisconsin.
During the breeding season, the female will sit perched low to the ground while the male flies around looking for her. The female lays one egg on the flower stalk of the host plant. Host plants are plants in the Brassicaceae (mustard) family. Caterpillars feed on the host plant buds, seed pods, and flowers.
The adult Falcate Orangetip eats flower nectar of various types including the mustards, the violets, and other plants. They are found in open, wet woodlots near water, and in open swampy areas. They are occasionally found in dry woods and along ridgetops. They can be found from southern New England southwest to southern Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Local populations have also been found to the Florida panhandle, eastern Nebraska, and southern Wisconsin.