Brimstone

About this butterfly

The Brimstone is named for the male's lemon-yellow wings; females are a paler greenish white. Both sexes have leaf-shaped wings that hide them among foliage. Adults overwinter and can live many months, among the longest-lived European butterflies. They emerge on mild spring days, often before most other species. Nectar is taken from a range of flowers in spring and again before hibernation. Larval hosts are Common Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn. The plant shown with it here is Alder Buckthorn. The flight is strong and direct along hedges and woodland edges. Only one generation of larvae is usual each year. Seeing a yellow male in March is a classic sign of spring.