Tags
Brimstone, Brimstone butterfly, Brimstone moth, British butterflies, British moths, Gonepteryx rhamni, Opisthograptis luteolata
Recording the biodiversity around us can sometimes be a tricky business. Take, for example, the Magpie: there’s a bird called Magpie (Pica pica) and a moth (Abraxas grossulariata) and even a fungus (Coprinopsis picacea). The same is true of the Grayling: there are both a butterfly (Hipparchia semele) and a fish (Thymallus thymallus) of that name. Then there are the Brimstones: in this case, it’s even more confusing as both are lepidoptera – one’s a butterfly (Gonepteryx rhamni) and one’s a moth (Opisthograptis luteolata). And by sheer coincidence, I saw both Brimstones yesterday.

I spotted the butterfly drinking from a Buddleja bush while I was out walking and the moth came to visit me here at home. I had left my windows open until around 10pm and this little moth came into my kitchen. I tried putting it out but it flew straight back in again and is still sitting on my kitchen bench, despite the window again being open. Not that I’m complaining, as it’s a beautiful little creature.

Lucky you! I haven’t had a decent sighting of a brimstone butterfly all year!
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I’ve not seen many Brimstones either, and saw only my second Peacock of the year that same day. It’s been an odd year for butterflies in general.
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I’ve never managed a decent photo of a Brimstone Butterfly – they’ve always been skittish when I’ve come across them. As for the moth – well it’s raining. Why not stay indoors!
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This one was quite friendly, sitting on my finger, walking up my arm. It spent an hour walking around my freshly washed sheets this morning, licking them – drinking? – then I put it near the window and it flew happily off. It was a nice visitor to have. 🙂
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Don’t you just love nature. It never ceases to amaze 🙂
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🙂
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