Scientific name: Gonepteryx Rhamni        Common name: Brimstone

About:

This butterfly is in many ways similar to the Comma butterfly that can be seen above. Instead of trying to blend in with the dead and fallen leaves ,like the comma, the brimstone camouflages with the green leaves on trees. This partially aids this species in being widespread across England, Wales and Ireland. However there range is limited as they rely on 2 specific buckthorns in order to lay their 1 set of eggs each year.

Key Information:

Wingspan: 60-70mm

Habitat: Grasslands / Woodlands / Hedges / Wetlands / Gardens

Flight: Similarly to the Comma this butterfly can also be found all year round due to its ability to hibernate over the winter.

Family: Pieridae

Order: Lepidoptera

Fun Fact: It is often thought that the yellowish male brimstone is the reason for the word butterfly originating with the phrase 'Butter-coloured fly'

How to Identify: 

The males of this species, as previously noted, are closer to a yellow colour where as the females are a white and green colour. They also have yellow dots that are visible on their underwings. Furthermore their bodies and face are both white with a clear red line going across them.