Nature table: Brimstone butterfly

This large and striking butterfly is rather localised in its Irish distribution but where it exists it is particularly evident at this time of year when mating and egg-laying are taking place.

Flower-rich woodland margins and glades are its natural habitat, though it sometimes turns up in gardens. Males are a luminous yellow and females are pale green.

When they fold their wings, both sexes reveal veined under-wings that camouflage them to look remarkably like a leaf.