Sara Orangetip (Anthocharis sara Lucas)
Wing span: 1 3/8 - 1 7/8 inches (3.5 - 4.8 cm).
Identification: Upperside of male forewing with large, orange-red spot; border of apex dark, narrow. Female spot smaller; dark border with white wedges. Underside of hindwing with scattered, olive-green marbling. Some individuals are yellow.
Life history: Males patrol, mostly in valleys, for females. Eggs are laid singly near tops of host plants. Young caterpillars feed on flower buds, older ones on flowers and fruits. Chrysalids hibernate.
Flight: One flight from March-June in Alaska south to Arizona desert; primary flight on California coast from February-April with a second partial flight from May-June.
Caterpillar hosts: Plants in the mustard (Brassicaceae) family including tansy-mustard (Descurainia), hedge mustard (Sisymbrium) and rock cresses (Arabis) species.
Adult food: Flower nectar, including that of host mustards, violets, thistles, fiddleneck, and brodiaeas.
Habitat: Deserts, open woods, orchards, fields, meadows, stream courses, canyons.
Range: Alaska coast south to Baja California, east to North Dakota, New Mexico, extreme western Texas.
