Sussex Branch

Butterfly Species in Sussex

Description

This butterfly may be recorded on any warm, sunny day in any month of the year but there are two distinct peaks. The first is in early spring when it is mostly seen around hedgerows and woodland rides, and the second is in high summer when it becomes a frequent garden visitor, gorging on nectar before hibernating for the winter. The larval foodplants are Alder Buckthorn and Purging Buckthorn. Alder buckthorn is a small compact shrub and if you grow one in your garden, you will not be disappointed, as female Brimstones are bound to pay you a visit.

Where to find

This species is ubiquitous but one location that is worth an early spring visit, is the North Stoke amphitheatre at TQ035106. At this time of the year the footpath can be very wet, and so wellingtons may be necessary. A morning visit is strongly advised at this site, as this species has a habit of dispersing into the surrounding countryside in the afternoon, and the 20-30 that may be present in the morning may be reduced to just 2-3 individuals, later in the day.

Image gallery

Female Brimstone nectaring on Everlasting Pea – photo by Martin Kalaher

Male nectaring on Verbena Bonariensis

Female nectaring on Michaelmas Daisy

Male nectaring on Everlasting Pea

Egg-laying on Alder Buckthorn

Caterpillar mimicking the leaf of Cleavers

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More information

Butterfly Conservation Brimstone