Brimstone

Gonepteryx rhamni (Linnaeus, 1758)

Status

Description

A medium-large plain pale-yellow or yellow butterfly. The males are yellow, and females very pale yellow, almost white in flight. In the centre of each wing there is a small brown spot, along with its wings shape makes it quite distinctive. However, it can be easily confused with other members of the same genius. The key diagnostic feature is that the costa of the forewing (leading edge) is slightly concave, and not straight as in other species. In addition the apex of the forewing is more pointed.

Habitat Requirements

Meadows, scrub and woodland edges.

Larval Foodplants

Alder Buckthorn Frangula alnus - not on Corfu, Rhamnus alaternus, Buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica - not on Corfu, Rhamnus lycioides.

Observations

The genus Gonepteryx hosts the longest lived butterflies as an adult. Gonepteryx rhamni whilst encountered on Corfu, it is in no way a common butterfly.

*The information provided in the tables below is based on verified sightings of the Brimstone submitted via this website since 1st January 2021.

First and Last Sightings

Year First Last/latest # Days
2023 31/03/2023 15/05/2023 45 days
2022 23/03/2022 04/11/2022 226 days
2021 10/04/2021 19/10/2021 192 days

Number of Observations

Year Number of observations
2023 7
2022 29
2021 34
Grand Total 70

Distribution Map

Distribution maps for this species are currently unavailable.

Flight Times for the Brimstone (2023)

The chart below shows flight data by month for 2023 submitted online since 1st January 2023 to 28th May 2023.

Flight Times for the Brimstone (All Data)

The chart below shows flight data by month based on all data submitted online since 1st January 2019 to 28th May 2023.

Taxonomy

  • Vernacular/Common Name: Brimstone
  • Family: Pieridae (Swainson, 1820)
  • Sub-family: Coliadinae (Swainson, 1827)
  • Tribe: Rhodocerini (Duponchell, [1835])
  • Genus: Gonepteryx (Leach, 1815)
  • Species: rhamni (Linnaeus, 1758)

References

For a list of references, please see our bibliography page.