Orange-Tip behavoiur

[Dave McCormick]

I was at the local river and watching the numerous butterflies (very sunny and warm) and I was watching a male orange-tip feeding on a cuckooflower and I noticed that as soon as a cloud covered the sun, the OT closed its wings and didin't move until the cloud cleared and sun came back, which it opened its wings for a few seconds to get the sun and then flew off.

I have seen this once before last year when it was sunny then suddenly a passing shower made the OT close its wings (also a male). Is this to do with conserving energy? Or to do with them no liking to fly in cloudy/dull conditions?

[Lee Hurrell]

The latter I believe Dave. I've seen it a lot, as soon as the sun goes in they stop and roost. As it returns they become active again.

'No lighty, no likey' or something like that.

Cheers

Lee

[Padfield]

The cryptic colouration is on the underside. Like many other species, orange tips will fold their wings and 'blend in' during cooler spells, rather than expose themselves and try to carry on feeding.

Guy

[Dave McCormick]

Thanks Lee and Guy, would explain why the OT was on the flower and didn't continue to feed, wouldn't think they would need to conserve energy especially as the flower was there and it just stopped feeding.

[Butterfly Gardener]

I noticed the same behaviour today by a female. It arrived in my garden at about 12:00 and started feeding on cuckooflower. She remained on the same flower all afternoon moving underneath it during a thunderstorm at 15:00. I bet the neighbours wondered what i was up to outside on my hands and knees in my raincoat looking at the flower bed in the middle of a thunderstorm!! As I write this she is still in the same position showing no sign of movement.

[Butterfly Gardener]

Olivia Orange Tip is still perching on the cuckooflower after 29 hours. We felt like we should name her as she's been here so long.

[FISHiEE]

A lot of butterfly species do this. It's one of my tricks to photographing them. I will often keep an eye on the sky and if I see a cloud coming I'll follow a butterfly as it will almost definitely settle once the cloud obscures the sun. Works with Dragonflies too.

In Provence last year during a long run of cold, damp and cloudy weather I could repeatedly visit butterflies settled on the same flowers for a couple of days.

[Dave McCormick]

I have seen dragonflies do that in cloudy weather. Meadow browns still fly in dull weather, even seen them fluttering in rain before.

[Butterfly Gardener]

Olivia has laid 2 eggs! I'm so glad I made a butterfly garden last year it has brought me no end of joy.

[Gibster]

Olivia Orange Tip is still perching on the cuckooflower after 29 hours. We felt like we should name her as she's been here so long.

Last year we found a female Orange-tip sitting on top of a flowering dandelion in the middle of a largely flowerless patch of woodland. Very inactive, thanks to the cool, drab weather conditions - we took eye-level pics aplenty. That night Sam found a tick in her belly button...

The next afternoon the weather was still a bit drizzly and drab. Walking along the same track we were amazed to find the female Orange-tip still perched on top of her dandelion!

Gibster and Sami.

[Butterfly Gardener]

Just checked my belly button.........all is well.

[FISHiEE]

I have seen dragonflies do that in cloudy weather. Meadow browns still fly in dull weather, even seen them fluttering in rain before.

Yeah some butterflies fly in quite cool temperatures still. Mostly brown ones actually. Wall, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, GateKeeper all spring to mind.

[Butterfly Gardener]

Olivia is dead. I found 3 of her wings on the floor when I went to check on her this morning. What a rubbish start to the day!

[Rogerdodge]

Butterfly Gardener
I don't know how closely you looked at Olivia when she was settled, but it is my guess that she had been nabbed by a Crab Spider.
Fascinating little creatures that lie in wait, often camouflaged, for any insect that might chance to land on it's chosen flower head.
Very sad, but also fsacinating.
If you look closely at the flower head, there is a good chance it may still be there.
Resist the temptation for revenge please

[Butterfly Gardener]

I dont think there was a crab spider there as I studied the plant quite carefully in my hunt for eggs and caterpillars. Also she was moving a bit yesterday evening when the sun came out. I suspect something has crept up on her in the darkness.

I would never take revenge its all part of natures rich tapestry.

Jon

[Pete Eeles]

My only reason for posting in this thread, where he might see it, is to wish one of the longest-served members a Happy Birthday. So Happy Birthday, Dave!

Cheers,

- Pete

[Dave McCormick]

Thanks Pete yeah I am not around much at moment but hopefully I'll be on more, the season is picking up here finally

[Gibster]

Hi Dave, Happy Birthday from Epsom!

I'm hoping to hop across to Ireland in a couple of weeks time with Sami, just for 2 or 3 days. I'm predominantly over for Real's Wood White and real Guinness, but was hoping to see the Irish form of Orange-tip whilst there. Can you tell me, are they still present in decent numbers, or are they tailing off now? Same for Brimstones.

Cheers mate,

Gibster.

[Dave McCormick]

Thanks Gibster. I'll PM you

[Lee Hurrell]

Hope you had a good birthday Dave!

Lee