Brimstone Butterfly
Common NameBrimstone Butterfly
Scientific NameGonepteryx rhamni
FamilyPieridae
SubfamilyColiadinae
Wingspan (mm)55
Wing Patternsolid
Primary Colorsyellow, greenish-yellow, orange
HabitatWoodlands, hedgerows, scrub, gardens, parks
Geographic RangeEurope, North Africa, and Asia
Host PlantsCommon Buckthorn (*Rhamnus cathartica*), Alder Buckthorn (*Frangula alnus*)
Flight PeriodMarch to October
Flight Stylegliding
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesOverwinters as an adult, emerging very early in spring. Eggs are laid singly on buckthorn leaves, hatching into green caterpillars that feed on the leaves before pupating.
Identification TipsLook for the unique leaf-like shape of the wings, the bright lemon-yellow color of males (or pale greenish-white of females), and the small orange spot on each wing. Often one of the first butterflies seen in spring.
Description
A medium-sized butterfly with distinctive leaf-shaped wings, bright lemon-yellow in males and pale greenish-white in females, each wing bearing a small orange spot.
