Female Falcate Orangetip - Anthocharis midea
On the dreaded Garlic Mustard. This plant is an evasive species and although it is a member of the mustard family (host plant for Falcates) it is poisonous to its caterpillars. Unfortunately the female butterfly sometimes mistakes Garlic Mustard with its host plant and lays its eggs on the plant. The newly hatched caterpillars eat it and die. Efforts are being made in Maryland to remove this plant from sensitive areas.
Ellicott City, Maryland
Female Falcate Orangetip - Anthocharis midea
On the dreaded Garlic Mustard. This plant is an evasive species and although it is a member of the mustard family (host plant for Falcates) it is poisonous to its caterpillars. Unfortunately the female butterfly sometimes mistakes Garlic Mustard with its host plant and lays its eggs on the plant. The newly hatched caterpillars eat it and die. Efforts are being made in Maryland to remove this plant from sensitive areas.
Ellicott City, Maryland