InsectNet forum

Three self collected males from this year.
First specimen has slight scale defect in left forewing.
Second & third pictures are upperside & underside of typical male & an abb minor male which also has unusually dark underside.
I also collected a pair of this species from Scotland. The first ones I have ever taken there. They are still papered so will post a picture when they are eventually set/spread

Lovely little species Dave !
Orange-tips of any species attract attention.

Here in Illinois we have one species which may be found
in the farthest southern counties of the state bordering
Kentucky and Missouri.The species flies from mid-March
to mid-May and has 1 generation per year.

I have never had chance to collect the species myself.
Given the quite early flight period, the 6-hour drive time
from northern Illinois, and the uncertainty of just where
to look for it; I shall probably never get any myself.

However, I have a friend in central Illinois who only lives
(half as far) so, he has made some early visits down there
and has hit upon small numbers of them at times.

Here are his findings of the species....



I was told by my friend that back in 1961 a Chicago collector
observed over 1,000 individuals in Union County however,
seeing half a dozen now qualifies as a good day.

Interesting that you don't have any Anthocharis in your part of IllinoisTrehopr. Here in the U.K. A cardamines is widespread & fairly common. Both it's food plants grow in abundance in my part of North Wales & the butterfly itself is often abundant between mid April & mid May here still. It is a true harbinger of spring in these parts.

I don't consider that spring has begun until I see my first orange tip of the year. However, this year, for the first time ever, I've not seen a single one in south-east England! Other people have also told me that they're massively down in numbers this year, maybe the very hot summer last year caused problems for them!

bobw wrote: Sun Jun 11, 2023 7:01 am I don't consider that spring has begun until I see my first orange tip of the year. However, this year, for the first time ever, I've not seen a single one in south-east England! Other people have also told me that they're massively down in numbers this year, maybe the very hot summer last year caused problems for them!

Worrying news indeed Bob.
Numbers were still pretty good here in North East Wales thankfully. I also saw good numbers in Scotland in mid May
I was discussing with someone before the season started if numbers would be down as the result of last year's dry & very hot summer. It seems that as far as South East England is concerned my fears were sadly well founded.

A. midea numbers have been down here in E. TX for the past few years, but it is still fairly common. It's usually the first butterfly I notice every Spring, probably because it flies slowly and is easy to spot. We have had some unusually cold winters recently.

Got these on the board not too long ago. 3 old pairs from Northern Europe. I’ve also got several Anthocharis bambusarum from Nanjing China I am waiting on mounting. Those specimens are absolutely gorgeous with the forewing being all orange and the hind wing being much more defined than the typical scolymus or midea.

EdTomologist wrote: Tue Jun 13, 2023 7:55 am Got these on the board not too long ago. 3 old pairs from Northern Europe. I’ve also got several Anthocharis bambusarum from Nanjing China I am waiting on mounting. Those specimens are absolutely gorgeous with the forewing being all orange and the hind wing being much more defined than the typical scolymus

Lovely setting job on those A cardamines.
Look forward to seeing your A bambusarum when you have set/spread them. A beautiful species still sadly missing from my collection.

Here are some self collected Anthocharis midea from Indiana. They aren’t rare but finding the time to go out to get them in the early spring can be challenging.

PS: You’ll have to turn your head upside down to see. Sorry

Those self-collected Anthocharis midea from Indiana are looking fly, my friend! I feel you on the challenge of finding time to nab these beauties in the early spring. But hey, the thrill of the hunt makes it all the more rewarding, right? Thanks for sharing the image, even if we have to do a little acrobatics to admire it.

Here is the right-side-up version of the upside-down picture:

Part of my spanish Anthocharis cardamines

Another spanish Anthocharis is Anthocharis euphenoides.