Brimstone
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Gonepteryx rhamni
Common & widespread in Britain.
The Caterpillars have a green colouration with white hairs and dark tubercules across its length.
The Larvae feeds on Buckthorn.
The Adult common brimstone has sexual dimorphism in its wing coloration: Males have yellow wings and iridescence while Females have greenish-white wings and are not iridescent.
This iridescence is affected by environmental factors.
The name "butterfly" is believed to have originated from this species, which was called the "butter-coloured fly" by early British naturalists.
Flight period is from February-October.