With thanks to volunteer Phil for his article and photos
Over the course of the winter and early spring we have become very used to admiring the beautifully camouflaged plumage of Snipe in front of West Mead Hide. Now I am pleased to say there is another camouflage pattern to celebrate and it couldn’t be more different. This belongs to my favourite butterfly – the Orange Tip.
Orange Tips emerge in early April and are on the wing until June with no second brood so we need to make the most of them while we can. Most casual observers will be aware of the bright orange wing tips of the males which are often regarded as a colourful sign of spring. Here one is feeding on a Cuckooflower near Winpenny Hide which is one of the foodplants for caterpillars of this species.
Most often you will see these butterflies perch with their wings open but sometimes they close up their wings and this is when their true glory is revealed – a beautiful green and white camouflage pattern on the underside of the hindwings.
One of my books is of the opinion that this has developed specifically to conceal them when they land on umbellifer flowers such as cow parsley. This is not yet flowering but here is a photo of an Orange Tip on Cow Parsley near my home to illustrate.
Females are less colourful having smaller patches of dark grey on the wingtips instead of the bright orange. They do however show the same camouflage pattern on the hindwings. They can be confused with Small White or Green-veined White butterflies but if you can see the camouflage pattern that will confirm their identity.
Next time you see one of these butterflies fluttering along I would strongly suggest watching it closely in the hope that it will land and fold its wings. And even if it doesn’t it is hard not to be cheered by those bright orange wing tips.