Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

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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