Orange Tip behaviour

[Jack Harrison]

Male Orange Tips must be some of the most difficult butterflies to photograph as the relentless patrol in search of females. But every so often, there is one that seems more interested in feeding than chasing the girls. This fellow was the most co-operative I have come across for a long while and hung around the dandelions for ages.

Jack

[Jack Harrison]

I offer an answer to my own query. The full size image (a crop but not resized is attached) shows that the left hind wing is very slightly crumpled. So is this individual newly emerged and needing a good refuel before setting out looking for females?

Jack

[Martin]

What would an OT be doing sat on a Dandelion seed head? Resting? Vantage point?



Martin.

[Jack Harrison]

I think that's fairly easy to explain. Dandelion seed heads and Cow Parsley offer excellent camouflage. Your Orange Tip is clearly resting and could be there for a long while (until the next decent weather). I once watched one on Cow Parsley that stayed in the same position for some five days of miserable, often wet weather.

An alternative explanation is that your Orange Tip fell asleep after too big a lunch and when he wakes up, will get quite a surprise to find that his lovely flower head is no more! ("Sorry mate - we're closed").

Jack

[Susie]

Perhaps he likes having his toes and tummy tickled?

[Martin]

Perhaps he likes having his toes and tummy tickled?

Crikey...I must be an Orange Tip!