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The Butterflies of Gloucestershire

Species

Habitats

Conservation

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Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni
	Male, 10 July 1976	Female, 1 August 1995

Habitat

The Brimstone is a common species of woods, scrub and hedges where buckthorn bushes grow. Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus catharticus) is more common in the area than Alder Buckthorn (Frangula alnus).

Egg under Buckthorn leaf

Conservation Issues

Removal of hedgerows containing buckthorn would reduce the habitat.

Flight Period Brimstones hibernate as adult butterflies, and in some years the new generation emerges in the summer whilst some of the previous generation still survive. Most of the overwintering butterflies have died out by mid June however, and the next generation is usually seen from about mid July until it goes into hibernation by about the end of August. A particularly warm autumn or winter day may bring some Brimstones out of hibernation. Distribution Throughout the area.