Desert Orangetip
Anthocharis cethura C. Felder & R. Felder, 1865
Family: Pieridae
Subfamily: Pierinae
Identification: White to pale yellow with orange tip on forewing. Green marbling on underside of hindwing.
Wing Span: 1 - 1 1/2 inches (2.5 - 4.0 cm.)
Life History: Eggs are laid on flower buds of host plants. Caterpillars eat flowers and young seed pods. Chrysalis overwinters, may pass several years before adult emerges.
Flight: Early February - April.
Caterpillar Hosts: Tansy-mustard, jewelflower, tumble mustard and probably other plants in Mustard family.
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Rocky desert hills and ridges.
Range: Northwestern Nevada south through southeastern California and western Arizona to northern Mexico.
Conservation: Catalina Orangetip (subspecies catalina) found only on Santa Catalina Island off southern California coast is of conservation concern.
NCGR: G4,G5 for species, T1T2 for subspecies catalina.
Management Needs: Many habitats threatened by exotic cheatgrass invasion.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 25 - 48 of 314 verified sightings
Observation date: Mar 05, 2019
Submitted by: stevecary
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jan 20, 2020
Observation date: Jan 18, 2020
Submitted by: ezanovitch
Region: Pinal County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Jan 18, 2020
Observation date: Mar 13, 2019
Submitted by: pf2045
Region: Riverside County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Mar 14, 2019
Observation date: Mar 04, 2019
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Riverside County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Mar 06, 2019
Observation date: Feb 02, 2019
Submitted by: hiker96
Region: Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Feb 03, 2019
Observation date: Feb 25, 2017
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Sep 27, 2017
Observation date: Mar 03, 2017
Submitted by: Bdog
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Mar 04, 2017
Observation date: Feb 25, 2017
Submitted by: diwalks2@gmail.com
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Feb 28, 2017
Observation date: Feb 23, 2017
Submitted by: Bdog
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Feb 24, 2017
Observation date: Feb 23, 2017
Submitted by: Bdog
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Feb 24, 2017
Observation date: Feb 23, 2017
Submitted by: diwalks2@gmail.com
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Feb 24, 2017
Observation date: Mar 10, 2016
Submitted by: JoseBonner
Region: San Bernardino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Dec 27, 2016
Observation date: Apr 01, 2013
Submitted by: Kari
Region: Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Apr 15, 2013
Observation date: Mar 23, 2009
Submitted by: pdevries
Region: Kern County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Dec 22, 2012
Observation date: May 01, 1993
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (William Swisher)
Region: Esmeralda County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Mar 02, 1992
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (William Swisher)
Region: Graham County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Feb 13, 2005
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Tom Horton)
Region: Yavapai County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Apr 16, 1988
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (William Swisher)
Region: Washoe County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Mar 18, 1990
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (William S. Swisher)
Region: Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Feb 11, 1975
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (George T. Austin)
Region: Clark County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Apr 29, 1996
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (John B. Vernon)
Region: Washoe County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Mar 25, 1993
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (William Swisher)
Region: Greenlee County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Mar 17, 2007
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Stanley Gorodenski)
Region: Yavapai County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Apr 20, 1986
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (William Swisher)
Region: Pershing County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
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