163 



THE BRIMSTONE BUTTERFLY. 



Papilio Rhamni. 



PLATE XXVII. 



Papilio Rhamni, Linn. Syst. Nat. ii. 765, No. 106 



Donovan's Brit. Ins. pi. 145 Goneptyrex Rhamni, Lot. 



THE wings are angulated, sharp at the dimidiate 

 margin ; the colour, a bright sulphur yellow, with 

 a small crimson spot in the centre of each ; the head 

 and antennae, deep crimson, the eyes and body, bluish 

 gray ; the under side, pale yellow, the exterior margin 

 being of a deeper colour, with equidistant small spots 

 of pink ; centre of the wings, with pale crimson spots. 



The Brimstone Butterfly is common in many 

 places in the month of June. In its caterpillar state, 

 it is very seldom taken ; and when in the chrysalis 

 condition, it is generally so concealed among the 

 herbage, that it is almost impossible to be discovered, 

 from its green colour according so well with the sur- 

 rounding leaves. In this state it is suspended by the 

 tail ; but has such muscular strength, that if touched, 

 it can throw itself upright immediately, in the same 

 manner as the pupa of the Phalcena pentadactyla. 

 The caterpillar feeds chiefly on buckthorn, whence it 

 has received the specific name of Rhamni. 



The male alone is of a vivid yellow. The female 

 is of a dull greenish white. 



