Brimstone
Gonepteryx rhamni
The Brimstone is common sight in Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull.
Warm sunny days in early March brings the Brimstone out from hibernation. The Brimstone is one of the longest living of British Butterflies and is the only species outside the Nymphalidae family to hibernate as an adult butterfly.
The bright, rich yellow of the male Brimstone butterfly cannot be confused with any other UK butterfly. The female however, is a very pale yellow/white and is easily confused for a Large White.
The Brimstone is thought to be the original 'butter-coloured fly'.
Larval Food plants
Buckthorn(Rhamnus cathartica)
Alder Buckthorn (Frangula alnus)
Habitat Requirements
The Brimstone is usually found in grassland, woodland, open areas and hedgerows but can also be found in any location even where the larval food plant is not present as the butterfly may travel widely from its larval home.
Warwickshire Status
Resident
Where to see the Brimstone
Clowes Wood (WWT Reserve)
New Fallings Copice (WWT Reserve)
Grove Hill (WWT Reserve)
Hampton Wood and Meadow (WWT Reserve)
Harbury Spoilbank (WWT Reserve)
Rough Hill Wood (WWT Reserve)
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Other Species
Please select an alternative species from the list below.
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Steven Cheshire - Male |
First Sightings
First sighting dates are based on records of Brimstone submitted online. Please note that these dates are not updated retrospectively to include records submitted to the branch recorder in other forms.
| 13/03/2010 - Garden, Studley |
| 27/02/2009 - Spa Park, Leamington Spa |
| 01/02/2008 - Hillers Garden Centre, Dunnington |
| 10/01/2007 - Claybrookes Marsh |
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| The flight chart below is based on observations of the adult Brimstone in Warwickshire between 2005 and 2008. Peak periods are shown in dark green. |
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Warwickshire Distribution Maps base on Vice County (CV38) which includes Coventry and Solihull
Distribution of the Brimstone during the indicated period.
Key to Warwickshire Maps: sightings  1 2-9 10+ |
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