Species: Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni)
Family: Whites and Yellows (PIERIDAE)
Category: Butterflies & Moths
Location: SW
A. Butterflies & Moths
B. Whites and Yellows (PIERIDAE)
The Whites and Yellows are mostly quite large butterflies, with bright white or yellow wings. They 'flap' as they fly.
C. Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni)
Amongst British butterflies, the Brimstone has a unique outline to its wings, with hooked forewing tips lending them a scalloped shape. This is repeated on the hindwing.
You will be hard-pressed to see the upper surfaces of this butterfly's wings as they are invariably closed when the creature is settled. The compensation for that is that the undersides of the wings, seen held vertically, have pronounced veining. Males are a bright yellow colour, whereas females are a paler, greenish white. The name Brimstone is derived from the bright yellow element sulphur.
Some individuals live for a full 11 months. The preferred food of the Brimstone is Buckthorn - of which there is none in the Cemetery - so its presence here is testimony to the nomadic habits of this magnificent butterfly.
Images
Brimstone
Amongst British butterflies, the Brimstone has a unique outline to its wings, with hooked forewing tips lending them a scalloped shape.
Brimstone
You will be hard-pressed to see the upper surfaces of this butterfly's wings as they are invariably closed when the creature is settled. The compensation for that is that the undersides of the wings, seen held vertically, have pronounced veining. Males are a bright yellow colour, whereas females are a paler, greenish white. The name Brimstone is derived from the bright yellow element sulphur.
