SALTWELLS local nature reserve

Brimstone

 

The male brimstone with its sulphur yellow wings is difficult to confuse with any other British butterfly. The female is very pale lemon or greenish yellow and can be mistaken, at a distance, with a large white.

 

Though there is only one generation each year, it is such a long-lived species that adults can be seen on the wing in almost every month and typically emerge from their hibernation in early March.

 

Brimstones always close their wings when resting or feeding.

 

Wingspan - 60-74mm

On the wing - late February to late September

Foodplant - Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn

 

2015 - earliest sighting 06 April