Whites and yellows · Denmark

Common brimstone

Gonepteryx rhamni

The brimstone is common in Denmark. Wingspan: 54-64 mm. Adults that have overwintered fly from March to June. It lives in woodland, woodland edges and other places with its larval food plants, as well as meadows and other flower-rich places where it feeds on nectar.

Status in this countryCommon in DenmarkLC (Least concern)

Flight period

The flight period is from March to June for individuals that have overwintered. A new generation flies again from July to September, during which they enter a state of dormancy in the vegetation.

Habitat

Lives in woodland, woodland edges and other places where the larva's food plants grow, as well as meadows and other flower-rich places, where it drinks nectar from plants including burdock, dandelion, thistle and clover.

Identifying features

Wingspan: 54-64 mm. A true herald of spring, flying from the beginning of March.

Similar species

Imago: The female, in flight, may be confused with species of the cabbage white group, while the male may be confused with the more rare clouded yellows. However, all of the mentioned possibilities have dark wingtips, which common brimstone does not.

Distribution

Widespread throughout Denmark, but most numerous in the eastern part.

Biology

Eggs are laid on the closely related alder buckthorn (Frangula alnus) and common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica). The larvae feed on the leaves and later pupate.