The Butterflies of the World Foundation

A Non-Profit Organization

Falcate Orangetip

Anthocharis midea, Hübner, (1809)

Subfamily Pierinae

Tribe Euchloini

Taxonomy

There are about 1100 or so species within the family Pieridae.  The family is further divided into three subfamilies, the Coliadinae which has about 300 species worldwide and includes the Sulphurs, Yellows and Brimstones, the Pierinae which has about 700 species worldwide and includes the Whites, Orange-tips and Jezebels, and the Dismorphiinae which has about 100 species mostly in the tropics and includes the Wood Whites and Mimics.

Anthocharis midea, Lexington Wildlife Management Area, Cleveland County, Oklahoma, 9 April 2010                                                                                    Ref #:  I-435-14

Anthocharis midea, Lexington Wildlife Management Area, Cleveland County, Oklahoma, 18 April 2009                                                                                   Ref #:  I-414-3.4

Anthocharis midea, Lexington Wildlife Management Area, Cleveland County, Oklahoma, 18 April 2009                                                                                 Ref #:  I-414-14.5

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General Information:

Anthocharis midea is an early spring butterfly that flies in east-central United States.  In some areas, it’s one of the first butterflies to emerge and is a welcome site after winter.  There is one early spring brood.  This butterfly tends to be constantly moving, but will sometimes stop for a brief sip of nectar from an early spring blossom.  They are mostly found in open woodlands.

Lifecycle:

The larval food plants include rock cress, bitter cress and other mustards.  The eggs are yellow-green but turn red just before hatching.  The larvae are olive-green with a yellow stripe and tiny black dots. The chrysalis is a yellowish color and is covered with black spots.

Anthocharis midea, one half mile south of Lexington Wildlife Management Area, Cleveland County, Oklahoma, 2 April 2012                                                       Ref #:  I-500-15

Anthocharis midea, Lexington Wildlife Management Area, Cleveland County, Oklahoma, 18 April 2009                                                                                  Ref #:  I-414-7.4