Stella Orangetip
Anthocharis stella W.H. Edwards, 1879
Family: Pieridae
Subfamily: Pierinae
Identification: Upperside of male forewing with large, orange-red spot; border of apex dark, narrow. Female spot smaller; dark border with white wedges. Underside of hindwing with scattered, olive-green marbling. Some individuals are yellow.
Wing Span: 1 3/8 - 1 7/8 inches (3.5 - 4.8 cm).
Life History: Males patrol, mostly in valleys, for females. Eggs are laid singly near tops of host plants. Young caterpillars feed on flower buds, older ones on flowers and fruits. Chrysalids hibernate.
Flight: One flight from late March to mid-August, primarily mid-June through mid-July.
Caterpillar Hosts: Plants in the mustard (Brassicaceae) family including tansy-mustard (Descurainia), hedge mustard (Sisymbrium) and rock cresses (Arabis) species.
Adult Food: Flower nectar, including that of host mustards, violets, thistles, fiddleneck, and brodiaeas.
Habitat: Deserts, open woods, orchards, fields, meadows, stream courses, canyons.
Range: Alaska coast south to Baja California, east to North Dakota, New Mexico, extreme western Texas.
Conservation: Conserve restricted populations.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: Preserve host plant and flyway habitats.
Comments: NULL
Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 274 verified sightings

Observation date: Jul 15, 2019
Submitted by: AaronB
Region: Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jun 30, 2020

Observation date: Jun 20, 2020
Submitted by: AaronB
Region: Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jun 30, 2020

Observation date: Jun 27, 2020
Submitted by: Team Kweeper
Region: Amador County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 27, 2020

Observation date: Jun 06, 2020
Submitted by: kathy lichtendahl
Region: Park County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jun 11, 2020

Observation date: Jul 23, 2019
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Park County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Aug 26, 2019

Observation date: Jun 30, 2019
Submitted by: Diane R Halpin
Region: Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jul 10, 2019

Observation date: Jun 26, 2019
Submitted by: Diane R Halpin
Region: Teton County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jul 10, 2019

Observation date: Jun 25, 2019
Submitted by: Diane R Halpin
Region: Teton County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jun 26, 2019

Observation date: May 09, 2019
Submitted by: Jdammarell
Region: Spokane County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: May 31, 2019

Observation date: Jun 06, 2018
Submitted by: dsperanza
Region: Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: May 28, 2019

Observation date: May 05, 2018
Submitted by: hydapse
Region: Carbon County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Feb 01, 2019

Observation date: May 07, 2018
Submitted by: kwosilait
Region: Yakima County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 18, 2018

Observation date: May 15, 2018
Submitted by: Bill Thompson 2524
Region: Ravalli County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: May 18, 2018

Observation date: Apr 22, 2018
Submitted by: HeidiH
Region: Stevens County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Apr 24, 2018

Observation date: Apr 19, 2016
Submitted by: Paul Prappas
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Norbert Kondla
Verified date: Sep 22, 2017

Observation date: Apr 20, 2014
Submitted by: Donjerue
Region: Klickitat County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 15, 2017

Observation date: Jul 01, 2017
Submitted by: cmpuppie
Region: Gallatin County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jul 20, 2017

Observation date: May 04, 2017
Submitted by: Sue Orlowski
Region: Spokane County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: May 25, 2017

Observation date: May 22, 2017
Submitted by: hiker96
Region: Kittitas County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: May 24, 2017

Observation date: Jun 11, 2016
Submitted by: J_Martineau
Region: Sheridan County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jan 09, 2017

Observation date: May 03, 2016
Submitted by: bobscafe
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Norbert Kondla
Verified date: May 13, 2016

Observation date: Apr 22, 2016
Submitted by: Sue Orlowski
Region: Spokane County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Apr 30, 2016

Observation date: Apr 13, 2016
Submitted by: Sue Orlowski
Region: Lincoln County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Apr 21, 2016

Observation date: Apr 06, 2016
Submitted by: Sue Orlowski
Region: Spokane County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Apr 11, 2016
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