| Brimstone - Goneptery x rhamni - Family: Pieridae
 Brimstone - Goneptery x rhamni© Dr Chris Gibson/English NatureThe original 'butter-coloured' fly, brimstones are one of the earliest butterflies to emerge in the spring after their winter hibernation as adults. They are found in woodland rides, scrubby grassland, parks and gardens. In the male, the upper side of the wing is bright sulphur yellow with an orange spot in the centre. The females are pale greenish white with a pale orange spot, and are often confused with the large white, although they lack the black markings. Both sexes have pale green undersides to camouflage themselves amongst leaves. The females lay eggs on the leaves of buckthorn on calcareous soils or purging buckthorn on moist acid soils. Grow two or three bushes in a sunny sheltered corner to provide host plants for this attractive butterfly. The caterpillars are bright green, fading to white above the feet and can be found resting along the midribs of the food plant leaves in early summer. Newly emerged adults are to be seen in August when they concentrate their feeding on purple nectar-rich flowers such as buddleia, thistles, purple-loosestrife and teasel - they have exceptionally long tongues, which can reach nectaries hidden deep inside the flowers. Adults hibernate, often in ivy. In the spring, they may feed on aubretia. FoodCaterpillars: buckthorn (Rhamnus catharticus) and alder buckthorn (Frangula alnus); adults: nectar of flowers including primrose (Primula vulgaris), knapweeds (Centurea sp.)and teasels (Dipsacus sp.). PlantsAlder buckthorn, Aubretia, Buckthorn, Butterfly bush, Greater knapweed, Ivy, Primrose, Purple-loosestrife, Teasel |
