The orange tip is the spring butterfly par excellence. As the hedgerows burst into flower, so these delicate and beautiful insects begin to flit along them, occasionally resting on garlic mustard or other plants to feed briefly before moving on. At low altitudes, the last individuals may be seen in June but in the mountains, where they emerge a little later, fresh males are still flying in July.

The males are unmistakeable, even at a distance, with their brilliant orange tips. All other male orange tips of the genus Anthocharis have at least some bright or dullish yellow on the wings.In the far south of Spain the desert orange tip, Colotis evagore, flies. This lacks the green marbling beneath. Also in Spain the very local sooty orange tip, Zegris meridionalis may be found. This is generally much duller, with a more subdued, marbled green on yellow underside.Female orange tips, though superficially like other whites, are also easily distinguished if the distinctive mottled underside is seen. The upperside pattern is sufficiently different, too, for ready identification given a good view.

Orange tips lay their eggs principally on garlic mustard or cuckoo flower, though other crucifers may be used too. The caterpillars feed in the flower and then seed heads, before pupating on stems, where they uncannily resemble thorns. They hibernate as pupae, ready to emerge fresh and joyous in the spring.