Orange Tip Toe Tasting

It has been chilly, damp, dull and windy in Essex today. No good for bug togging.

I found this female orange tip butterfly, cold and motionless, on sheep's parsley. She was perfectly camouflaged. The undersides of her white wings are covered with patches of yellow and black scales which gives a shadowy effect, blending in perfectly with the white flowered plants she favours. Female orange tips don't have orange tipped wings and are much more secretive than the males.

When they are ready to lay they taste the chosen plant with their feet to make make sure it is suitable. Only one egg is laid per plant as the larvae are cannabalistic.