The brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) is one of the first butterflies early in spring. Its
name comes from its yellow color similar to sulphur. Its wing shape is unique to act as camouflage
and it never settles with its wings open. In the picture here the upper side
is visible thanks to a shooting at the very moment it escapes from a Violette.
It is a male because the upper side is yellow while the female is white
with a greenish tinge, but both have an orange spot in the center of each wing.
It lives in Europe, except in the extreme north, in North Africa and in Asia. In
many of European countries, its common name refers to its color too but
compared to lemon, papillon Citron in French, Zitronenfalter in
German, Citroenvlinder in Dutch and Listkowiec cytrynek in
Polish.
It
is one of the longest lived butterflies, living up to thirteen months, although
most of this time is spent in hibernation (outdoor contrary to most butterflies
in that case). The brimstone usually hides until early spring, although a warm
January day will occasionally wake an eager male.
The name "butterfly" is believed to have originated from the
brimstone which was called the butter-coloured fly by early British
naturalists.
