Falcate Orangetip Anthocharis midea

Sometimes the first butterfly of the erupting spring. A harbinger species along with the spring Elfins. Fresh males are stunning up close. The falcate wing shape is characteristic of both sexes but the female otherwise lacks the orange and is usually a bit larger. Can be abundant in places with a good spring eruption of Cress, Cardamine and Arabis. Likes to nectar (when it makes a rare stop from fluttering) on Claytonia, the Spring Beauty, as in this shot.

The striking exterior of the male (note the orange peeking through). A hairy beast up close. And that variegated green and black pattern is distinctive.