The Brimstone Butterfly

The Brimstone Butterfly

Gonepteryx rhamni

 

 

Look out now for this wonderful large sized lemon-yellow Butterfly

When seen at rest amongst foliage its wings almost resemble leaves

Found all over UK but less common in Ireland and rare in Scotland

Its favoured habitat is scrubby grassland and woodland and this butterfly can often be seen flying alongside verges and hedgerows

Its larvae feed on leaves of Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn which are found on moist acid soils and wetlands

It is thought that the yellow colour of the male Brimstone’s wings inspired the name ‘butter-fly’!!