Brimstone

It is thought that the word ‘butterfly’ is derived from ‘butter-coloured fly’, in reference to the yellow colour of the upperwings, of the male Brimstone. Males have yellow-green underwings and females are pale green, almost white in colour. Both males and females have a small orange spot on each wing.

The Brimstone is a great wanderer and can often be seen flying along roadside verges and hedgerows, in scrubby grassland, woodlands and gardens. When they roost among foliage, the shape and veining of their closed wings closely resembles leaves.

The Brimstone is one of a few species that hibernates as an adult and is often cited as one of the first butterflies of the year because of this. It spends the majority of its life as an adult butterfly. New adults emerge from their chrysalis between June and August and continue to feed until September. They hibernate for the next six months, emerging again in March.

The larvae feed on leaves of Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn.

A common species in England and Wales, but very rare in Scotland.