The Life of Animals | Gonepteryx Rhamni | On the upper side the male is sulphur yellow and the female white with a greenish tinge but both have an orange spot in the centre of each wing. G. rhamni lives in Europe, North Africa and Asia as far east as Mongolia.
G. rhamni is one of the longest lived butterflies, living up to thirteen months, although most of this time is spent in hibernation. The eggs are laid singly on the leaves of either Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) or Alder Buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula) – the only two food plants – and females will wander far and wide in search for these particular shrubs.
Upon emerging from the pupae, Brimstone butterflies spend the summer feeding on nectar to build up energy reserves for the winter and by the end of August they are already beginning their long sleep. They seek out evergreen scrub, a favourite being dense, old ivy growth. The brimstone usually hides until early spring, although a warm January day will occasionally wake an eager male.
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