This afternoon the butterfly gods, or maybe it was the butterfly fairies, were taking care of me. I was out refiling the bird feeders when I spotted a small white butterfly nectaring at a Confederate Violet (Viola sororia priceana). Normally this butterfly, a Falcate Orangetip (Anthocharis midea), flutters by occasionally but rarely do I see it stop to take in some nectar. When I first spotted it, my camera was not with me and I figured my chances were nonexistent that it would still be there when I got back with it. BUT much to my surprise the Orangetip was waiting for me and its chance to have a portrait created.

Orangetip caterpillars live on blooms, developing fruit and leaves of plants in the mustard family such as Rock Cress, Bitter Cress, Shepherd’s Purse and Toothwort. Adults nectar at Toothwort, Mustards, Violets and Spring Beauty.

In its name, the “orangetip” is obvious. The first portion of the name, “falcate” means bent like a scythe or sickle, as the crescent moon, and certain leaves; hooked; curved and tapering to a point. Now keep that in mind as you look at the outer edge of a forewing. See that very subtle hook?

It is the male that has the orange spot on the upper, or dorsal, side of its wings. The female is totally white and black. Both male and female have a black spot in the middle of their forewings. These butterflies vary in size from 1.3 to 1.75 inches. The female is usually the larger of the two sexes.

It’s one of the early butterflies. Spring is upon us!