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| Gonepteryx rhamni, female. - Photographed by Taina |
| Gonepteryx rhamni – Brimstone (Pieridae) Appearance: This delightful butterfly shows good disguising skill with its unusual pointed shape of the wing. When it is sitting wings closed among ivy leaves in particular, among which it is believed to hibernate, it looks exactly like a leaf. The male Brimstone is bright lemon yellow while the female is pale lime green, and both have a single orange spot in the centre of each wing. The wingspan is approximately 60 mm. Geographical distribution/ habitat: Europe, North Africa, Asia, on waysides, scrubby areas and woodland. Host plant: Alder Buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula), Buckthorn (Rhamnus catharticus). Food plants: Visits various wildflowers, seems to like particularly Cirsium arvense and clovers. Flight time: One of the earliest butterflies on the wing, can be seen already in February or March after overwintering, and again from July to September. One generation per year. Photos and Information Index Home Butterfly Garden |