If I wasn’t paying attention, not to the season or the size of the butterfly I would think this might be a Cabbage White Butterfly (Pieris rapae). But this is a female Falcate Orangetip (Anthocharis midea) which is smaller and only flies in the early spring. I see the Cabbage White as the weather warms but the Falcate Orangetip shows up while things still are chilly in early spring.

This is the male Falcate Orangetip, and you can see why it has the name orangetip. As it flies that orangetip is more visible but in flight they are not only small but also very quick. That orange can be a challenge to see.

Both male and female Orangetips are out there. Watch for them enjoying the nectar of flowers such as Springbeauty, Toothwort, and Violets.

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