Insect
ð¦
ð¦
Size
52â60 mm wingspanAbout the width of a matchbox
Weight
0.2 gVirtually weightless
Lifespan
12â13 months â one of the longest-lived British butterflies
Rarity
Common
M vs F
Males are vivid sulphur yellow; females are pale greenish-white â the leaf-like wing shape is identical
Habitat
Woodland edges, scrub, gardens â wherever Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn grow
Best time
FebruaryâOctober; one of the first to emerge in late winter
Conservation
UK: Green
LC
💡 Did you know?
The word 'butterfly' may derive from the Brimstone â a bright yellow 'butter-coloured fly' that was one of the most noticed of the early emerging species in spring
When resting with wings closed the Brimstone is virtually undetectable â the leaf-shaped wings with prominent veins make it a near-perfect leaf mimic
Often confused with
Large White (black-tipped wings
white)
Clouded Yellow (orange-yellow
faster flight â rarer migrant)
0
Be the first to spot this!