British butterflies to spot

Brimstone

Some say that the word 'butterfly' comes from the yellow colour of male brimstones. Females have pale yellow-green wings, looking almost white in flight. The brimstone has spread in recent years, mainly in northern England. When these butterflies roost among foliage, the angular shape and the strong veining of their wings closely resemble leaves.

What it eats Larvae feed on leaves of buckthorn, which occurs  mainly on calcareous soils, and alder buckthorn, which is found  on moist acid soils and wetlands.

Where to find it England, Wales and Ireland, in scrubby grassland, woodland (especially damp carr woodland, hedgerows, and open ground where food plants are found in sunny positions. It can often be seen flying along roadside verges and tracks with hedgerows, well away from food plants.