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Species account
Citronsommerfugl
(Gonepteryx rhamni)
Linnaeus (1758)
Hvidvinger (Pieridae)
BRIM
24848
Brimstone (gb)
Limonera (es)
Citronfjäril (se)
Subspecies
rhamni
N Europe to Balkan.
gravesi
Huggins (1956) - Ireland.
transiens
Verity (1919) - Italy, SE France, Spain, Sardinia, Balkan to Turkey.
meridionalis
Röber (1907) Morocco and Algeria.
miljanowskii
Nekrutenko (1966) - Caucasus, Trans-Caucasus NE Turkey.
kurdistana
De Freina (1990) - SE Turkey, NW Iran, NE Iraq.
tianshanica
Nekrutenko (1970) - Tien Shan.
chitralensis
Moore (1906) - Chitral, Simla. ?
Measurements:
WS: 51-60mm
Generations:
1
Flight period:
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Identification:
Large and the yellow male practically unmistakable in the Scandinavian region by the yellow color, both below and above, and the pointed wings with marginal reddish paint along the apex. Both sexes have a reddish dot on both fore- and hindwings, largest on the hindwing. The hairs on the thorax are black, making the body look black (only to be seen in flight).
Similar species:
Females resemble brassicae [Stor Kålsommerfugl] with which it can easily be confused if only seen in flight but since rhamni lacks the black forewing tips it should be straight forward to separate them when perched.
Compared to hyale [Gul Høsommerfugl] the flight is more relaxed and the altitude normally is higher, 2 meters.
Compared to hyale [Gul Høsommerfugl] the flight is more relaxed and the altitude normally is higher, 2 meters.
Life stages:
Distribution:
NW Africa, Europe, Turkey to W Siberia and Mongolia.
Habitat:
Open moist forests, grassy fields, gardens, coasts.
Behavior:
Always sits with the wings collapsed.
They mate in spring where males start out flying two weeks earlier than females.
They mate in spring where males start out flying two weeks earlier than females.
Status:
Common in Denmark and most of Scandinavia.
Host plants:
Tørst (Frangula alnus) [Alder Buckthorn ~ Arraclán ~ Brakved]
Vrietorn (Rhamnus cathartica) [European Buckthorn ~ Espino Cerval ~ Getapel]
Vrietorn (Rhamnus cathartica) [European Buckthorn ~ Espino Cerval ~ Getapel]
Feeding plants:
Tidsler [Thistles ~ Cardos ~ Tistlar]
Kattehale (Lythrum salicaria) [Purple Loosestrife ~ Arroyuella ~Fackelblomster]
Gederams (Chamaenerion angustifolium) [Rosebay Willowherb ~ Adelfilla ~ Mjöke]
Mælkebøtte sp. (taraxacum sp.) [Dandelion ~ Diente de Leon ~ Maskross]
Kattehale (Lythrum salicaria) [Purple Loosestrife ~ Arroyuella ~Fackelblomster]
Gederams (Chamaenerion angustifolium) [Rosebay Willowherb ~ Adelfilla ~ Mjöke]
Mælkebøtte sp. (taraxacum sp.) [Dandelion ~ Diente de Leon ~ Maskross]
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1162
(2 photos)
2022-11-05 Kongelundsområdet, Denmark Imago ♂ Skovfogedmarken. A fresh male flying and resting in the warm sun. Most likely been disturbed in its winter hide. |
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1301
(2 photos)
2023-04-09 Venestad (Skåne), Sweden Imago ♂ We had 5 animals at this spot, and I still haven't seen it on Amager this year. |
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2071
(1 photos)
2023-07-28 Mols-laboratoriet (Djursland), Denmark Imago ♂ Flying in good numbers today. |
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2673
(2 photos)
2024-04-06 Kongelundsområdet, Denmark Imago ♂ Skovfogedmarken. First day I have it this year. Several responding to a warm spell from the south. Just halted for a few seconds allowing for these photos, otherwise was continuously on the wings, speeding around like the others to find a mate before ... |
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2679
(1 photos)
2024-04-09 Kongelundsområdet, Denmark Imago ♂ Frieslandsskoven. |
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1158
(1 photos)
2022-07-24 Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark Imago ♀ I think it is a female because of the vaguely colored rim markings. The base color looks rather dark and intense, but its probably the light that does it. |
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2210
(5 photos)
2023-08-17 Krebseklo-vandhullet/kirkegård (Hørsholm), Denmark Imago ♀ |
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596
(1 photos)
2022-04-18 Amager Fælled, Denmark Imago Paleness indicating a female? |
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648
(1 photos)
2022-05-08 Melby Overdrev, Denmark Imago Perhaps female by the pale color. |
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2072
(1 photos)
2023-07-28 Addit Hede (midtjylland), Denmark Imago Many of them today, why it was reasonable to try for a flight photo of this otherwise constantly-moving species. Interesting to see that the body is actually black. |
One of the longest living butterflies in our area due to the imago winter strategy.
Depending on the weather in the early spring/late winter some individuals might fly earlier than March.