Brimstone (female). Photo: Rob Morrison
Rob sent in this photo saying:
I took this photo on 18/07/2026 of a very fresh and single female Brimstone during my WCBS BC survey of a farm in the Sixpenny Handley area. Most of the other butterflies I saw were looking very tired and ragged/worn which is to be expected during the prolonged heatwave, drought and often very breezy conditions.
Brimstone. Photo: Nick Galer
Nick has been monitoring the development of a Brimstone butterfly caterpillar he found in his garden on 29/05/2026 and this morning, 24/06/2026 his anxious wait came to an end as he tells us:
Further to my previous photos of Brimstone larvae and pupa in my Stalbridge garden, I am pleased to announce the safe arrival overnight of this beautiful boy. Father and baby both doing well!!!
Brimstone. Photo: Matt Cooper
Green-veined White. Photo: Matt Cooper
Two photos sent in by Matt telling us:
A quick trip out after work on 20/04/2026 proved fruitful with a number of “firsts for the year” after a disappointing trip to Alner’s Gorse last week, also after work. I’ve seen a number of Brimstone on the wing as I’ve been driving and managed to collar one having ‘afternoon tea’. A number of Small Whites were also being obliging, as well as the Green-veined White I captured on it’s way to investigate the bluebells.
Our County Butterfly Recorder, Robin George writes: Portland Bird Observatory alerted us to a question about Brimstones recently in a post on their website :
“We’re forever puzzled by the status of the Brimstone butterfly at Portland. Continue reading
Comma. Photo: Shona Refoy
Brimstone. Photo: Shona Refoy
Two photos from Shona sent in with the following comments:
What a relief to see some sun at last! I went for a walk round the outside of Kingston Lacy this afternoon, 25/02/2026 and had a close encounter with a Comma. After hitting me on the forehead and flying around it sat on my hand for a while (this was the best photo I could manage with my left hand)!
And this is one of the many male Brimstones I saw whizzing around, finally pausing for a rest.
Brimstone. Photo: Warren Port
The recent sunshine seems to have brought out the butterflies including this Brimstone – photo sent in by Warren telling us:
Yesterday, 25/02/2026 I saw 10 male Brimstones in Shaftesbury – 5 of them were at Breach Common and 5 at Enmore Green. I also saw one last week at Tesco Petrol station. This photo was taken at Breach Common.
Brimstone. Photo: Jane Hopper
Green-veined White. Photo: Jane Hopper
Two photos from Jane sent in telling us:
These were two of the butterflies in my garden at Chalmington, late in the afternoon, on 15/8/2025.
The yellow of the underwing of the pristine Green-veined White is almost a match for that of the male Brimstone!
The Brimstones seem to be the only butterflies who will feed on my Zinnias, and in particular they seem to favour the pink ones. They often sit on a single bloom for long periods feeding from each yellow disk floret in turn. In the picture here I like the complementary texture of the yellow florets and the underside of the thorax of the butterfly!
Brimstone. Photo: Ann Barlow
Small Tortoiseshell. Photo: Ann Barlow
Ann says:
Today (30/5/25), to our great joy, we saw a female brimstone egg- laying on our three buckthorn trees. This is the first time we’ve seen this for several years. She also decided to take a break and rest on our gravel at one point, so I took a photo.
The second photo attached is of a small tortoiseshell taken in our garden on 25/5/25, again a lovely surprise as we haven’t seen one around here for several years. Let us hope it’s shaping up to be a better year for butterflies.
Glanville Fritillaries. Photo: Matt Cooper
Brimstone. Photo: Matt Cooper
Matt tells us:
During a very rewarding couple of hours, I finally managed to see the upper wings of a Brimstone, and also managed to capture “Frit Wars”!!! There were at least half a dozen Brimstone along the track, with similar numbers of Marsh and Glanville Fritillaries. Other people commented on the number of Small Heath on Compton Down itself, raising hopes of a much better summer than last year. I also managed to see my first Green Hairstreak for a couple of years, although I didn’t manage a photo. [11/5/25]
Brimstone. Photo: Penny Hawes
What great camouflage for this male Brimstone on a primrose flower, taken at Poole crematorium on 30 March.