Genus GONEPTERYX, Leach , 1815 
THE BRIMSTONE 
Goneptcryx rhamni (Linn., 1758). 
(Plate XXX, facing page 333) 
This familiar and beautiful butterfly is one of the lirst of 
the hibernating species to make its reappearance in early 
spring. When the weather is sufficiently warm to awaken 
it from its long winter sleep, it may frequently be seen in 
February winging its way along lanes, hedgerows, rides of 
woods, and in gardens, seeking the early flowers of spring. 
Haunts and Distribution. In the autumn the Brimstone 
frequents Clover fields and flowery waysides, to feast on the 
mauve and purple flowers of Scabious, Knapweed, Clover and 
other blossoms, which form a rich and beautiful contrast to 
its bright yellow hues. Woodlands are also favourite resorts, 
where it delights in flying along the rides and openings ; it is 
particularly fond of Bramble blossoms. 
This butterfly is abundant throughout the southern half 
of England and Wales, becoming less common northwards, 
and apparently is absent from Scotland. In Ireland it occurs 
locally in the south-west. Abroad its range extends over 
the whole of the Palaearctic area, except for the Polar regions. 
Its distribution is regulated by that of its food plant ; where 
this is common, the Brimstone is generally likewise abundant. 
But at times this butterfly is met with in places some miles 
distant from its breeding resorts where its food plant exists ; 
therefore it sometimes wanders far away from its birthplace. 
Time of Appearance. The normal time for its appearance 
is during the first warm and sunny days of March. All 
through this month and April it commonly frequents gardens, 
and owing to its brilliant colouring, it is one of the most 
conspicuous of our butterflies ; but when settled to sip the 
nectar of the daffodil, primrose or dandelion, its colouring 
so closely harmonises with the blossorqs of these plants, that 
it is hardly distinguishable. 
Owing to the perfect condition of the majority of the 
hibernated specimens seen in the spring, some of the earlier 
authors considered that there were two broods in the year, 
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