Brimstone Butterfly
Gonepteryx rhamni
The adult is a strong-flying butterfly of woodland rides, gardens, hedgerows, and sunny scrub. It drinks nectar from flowers such as primroses, thistles, and knapweeds, while females seek buckthorn plants for egg-laying. Its leaf-shaped wings and greenish underside help it disappear when resting among foliage. Adults are famous for overwintering as butterflies, emerging on warm days very early in spring.
- Type
- Wing
- Conservation status
- NE
Growth chain
- Brimstone Caterpillar
- ?
- Brimstone Butterfly