Sara Orangetip vs Brown Hairstreak

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Sara Orangetip Brown Hairstreak
Scientific Name Anthocharis sara Thecla betulae
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Pieridae Lycaenidae
Size 30-40 mm wingspan 36-40 mm wingspan
Habitat Mountains Hedgerows
Diet Nectar Feeders Omnivores
Regions Western North America Europe, temperate Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern (declining in parts of range)

Sara Orangetip

Small white butterfly with vivid orange forewing tips and mottled greenish hindwing undersides. Flies early in spring in western North America.

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Did You Know?

Adults have a single short flight period in spring and are not seen for the rest of the year.

Brown Hairstreak

A secretive butterfly with rich brown wings and an orange flash on the female's forewings. Adults spend most of their time in tree canopies, rarely descending to ground level.

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Did You Know?

Eggs are laid singly on blackthorn and are easier to find in winter than the elusive adults are in summer.