{"id":885,"date":"2024-02-17T21:05:23","date_gmt":"2024-02-17T21:05:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/macrostock.eu\/?p=885"},"modified":"2025-07-07T09:06:54","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T09:06:54","slug":"common-brimstone-gonepteryx-rhamni-6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/macrostock.karits.eu\/index.php\/2024\/02\/17\/common-brimstone-gonepteryx-rhamni-6\/","title":{"rendered":"Common Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\ud83e\udd8b Common Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Common Brimstone<\/strong> is a large, lemon-yellow butterfly that\u2019s often one of the first to be seen in spring<\/strong> in Europe. Belonging to the Pieridae<\/strong> family, it is well known for its long lifespan and leaf-like wing shape<\/strong>, which gives it excellent camouflage when at rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udd0d Identification<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  • Wingspan<\/strong>: 60\u201374 mm<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Males<\/strong>: Bright sulphur-yellow<\/strong> upperwings<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Females<\/strong>: Much paler<\/strong>, almost white with a greenish tint<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Both sexes<\/strong>: Have a small orange spot<\/strong> in the center of each wing<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Wing Shape<\/strong>: Distinctive leaf-like<\/strong> with pointed tips and veined texture\u2014perfect for camouflage among foliage<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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    \ud83c\udf0d Distribution & Habitat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    • Range<\/strong>:\n
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      • Found across Europe<\/strong>, North Africa<\/strong>, and temperate Asia<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Common in the UK<\/strong>, central and southern Europe<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Habitat<\/strong>:\n
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        • Prefers woodland edges<\/strong>, hedgerows<\/strong>, gardens<\/strong>, and meadows<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Especially associated with Buckthorn<\/strong> (Rhamnus cathartica<\/em>) and Alder Buckthorn<\/strong> (Frangula alnus<\/em>), which are the host plants for its larvae<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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          \ud83c\udf7d\ufe0f Diet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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          • Adults<\/strong>: Feed on nectar<\/strong> from a variety of flowers including:\n
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            • Primroses<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Dandelions<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Thistles<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Buddleia<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Caterpillars<\/strong>: Eat leaves of Buckthorn species<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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              \ud83d\udc23 Life Cycle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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              • One generation per year<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Eggs<\/strong>: Laid singly on buckthorn leaves<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Caterpillars<\/strong>: Green and well-camouflaged; feed for about a month before pupating<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Pupa<\/strong>: Green and attached to a plant stem or leaf<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Adults<\/strong>: Can live up to 13 months<\/strong>, making them among the longest-lived European butterflies\n
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                • Hibernate over winter<\/strong> in dense vegetation or ivy<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Emerge on warm days in early spring<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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                  \ud83c\udf1f Behavior<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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                  • Flight Period<\/strong>:\n
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                    • Most visible from March to September<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Overwintered adults are first seen in early spring<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Flight Style<\/strong>:\n
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                      • Strong, gliding flight<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      • Males often patrol areas in search of females<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      • Camouflage<\/strong>:\n
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                        • Wing shape and green-yellow color allow perfect disguise when resting among leaves<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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                          \u2705 Conservation Status<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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                          • IUCN Red List<\/strong>: Least Concern<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                          • Population trend<\/strong>: Stable<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                          • Considered a common and widespread species<\/strong> in most of its range<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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                            \ud83d\udccc Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                            The Common Brimstone<\/strong> (Gonepteryx rhamni<\/em>) is not only a harbinger of spring but also a master of disguise. Its vivid yellow wings and long lifespan make it a favorite among butterfly watchers. Strong-flying and widely distributed, it thrives where buckthorn is present and adds a bright flash of color to woodlands and gardens across Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n