A medium-large plain pale-yellow or yellow butterfly. The males have a very distinctive large orange patch on the forewing upperside, which makes it quite distinctive, even in flight. In the centre of each wing there is a small brown spot, along with its wings shape makes it quite distinctive. The pale-yellow of the female means it can be easily confused with the other species of the genius. The key diagnostic features are that the costa of the forewing (leading edge) is straight and not slightly concave, which separates it from G. rhamni. There is a pale orange streak on the forewing underside which is unique. The lower-half of the hind wing does not have prominent cusps which helps separate it from G. farinosa.
A wide spread butterfly, found in most habitats on the island.
Buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica - not on Corfu.
Dan Danahar has found ovae and larvae on native Rhamnus spp. in Corfu.
One of the most conspicous butterflies in the spring on Corfu and its certainly the most common of the three Gonepteryx species know to exist there. The male's showy orange forewings make it a favourite photographic subject for the novice butterfly enthusiast.
*The information provided in the tables below is based on verified sightings of the Cleopatra submitted via this website since 1st January 2021.
Year | First | Last/latest | # Days |
---|---|---|---|
2023 | 01/01/2023 | 08/06/2023 | 158 days |
2022 | 02/01/2022 | 31/12/2022 | 363 days |
2021 | 30/01/2021 | 31/12/2021 | 335 days |
Year | Number of observations |
---|---|
2023 | 1391 |
2022 | 1323 |
2021 | 418 |
Grand Total | 3136 |
The chart below shows flight data by month for 2023 submitted online since 1st January 2023 to 8th June 2023.
The chart below shows flight data by month based on all data submitted online since 1st January 2019 to 8th June 2023.
For a list of references, please see our bibliography page.