Gonepteryx rhamni

Gonepteryx rhamni, the brimstone butterfly, is a widespread Eurasian pierid distinguished by angular, leaf-like wings and seasonal colour differences between sexes.

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Pieridae: Pieridae is a family of butterflies that includes whites, yellows, and sulphurs. This family contains Gonepteryx rhamni and explains its close relationship to other sulphur butterflies.
Brimstone butterfly life cycle: The brimstone butterfly life cycle runs from egg through caterpillar and chrysalis to adult. Its single annual generation links spring egg-laying with the adult’s long summer and winter activity.
Buckthorn: Buckthorn is a group of shrubs in the genus Rhamnus, several species of which host butterfly larvae. Common buckthorn is a principal food plant for brimstone caterpillars.
Gonepteryx cleopatra: Gonepteryx cleopatra, the Cleopatra butterfly, is a Mediterranean pierid related to the brimstone. It resembles the brimstone but males have conspicuous orange patches on the forewings.
Brimstone butterfly male: A male brimstone butterfly is the yellow-green form of Gonepteryx rhamni. Its bright colour makes the male especially conspicuous in flight.
Lepidoptera: Lepidoptera is the insect order comprising butterflies and moths. The brimstone’s wing scales and complete metamorphosis are characteristic of this order.
Hibernation in insects: Insect hibernation is a dormant state that helps an insect survive seasonal cold or food scarcity. Adult brimstones overwinter in sheltered vegetation and resume activity in spring.
European alder buckthorn: European alder buckthorn is a shrub, Frangula alnus, native to Europe and parts of western Asia. Its leaves provide another important larval food source for brimstones.
Gonepteryx farinosa: Gonepteryx farinosa is a pale yellow butterfly in the genus Gonepteryx, found in southeastern Europe and western Asia. It is a regional relative that shares the brimstone’s angular wing form.
Brimstone butterfly female: A female brimstone butterfly is the pale greenish-white form of Gonepteryx rhamni. Her subdued colour contrasts with the male’s yellow-green wings.