Falcate Orangetip!

Yesterday, after writing about the early butterflies that have been showing up recently, I happened upon a Falcate Orangetip (Anthocharis midea). And, I was lucky enough to get a photo the little butterfly. Falcates don’t sit still for long as they zip along the woodland understory so it’s always exciting to be able to get a photo of one.

A male Falcate Orangetip (3/8/11).

Falcates are early season butterflies, as you may have guessed. The males emerge first in early to mid March, the females typically 1-2 weeks later. Females lack the orange on the wings.

There’s a short flight period and they can be difficult to find after mid April. They are much more common in wooded habitats and edges than in open areas.

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