Brimstone Butterfly

The Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) is a butterfly with a wingspan of around 60-74mm. Often the first butterflies to be seen in spring. During the winter adults can be found amongst ivy and evergreens. This is a female distinguished by the pale green forewings and hindwings with a central orange spot. Males are differentiated by the sulphur yellow forewings and hindwings with a centralised orange spot. The Brimstone often occurs in scrubby grassland, woodland and hedgerows along with open ground where food plants are available.