Had my first Brimstone of the year this morning in Northern Hampshire. Appeared to be fresh & bright so more like a hatchee than a hibernatorAfter an arctic blast last week with much ice & heavy frost, it's turned much milder since the weekend, if stormy at times.
Slightly surprised to see 2 Red Admirals about in Kew Gardens today, even though I know they can be seen in any month.
Are you sure there are hatchees at this time of the year? As far as I was aware, all Brimstones overwinter as adults, the only pupal stages being summer from +/- June through to early August.Had my first Brimstone of the year this morning in Northern Hampshire. Appeared to be fresh & bright so more like a hatchee than a hibernator
Almost certainly hibernators. When they emerge July/August they usually feed up for a few days & usually go into dormancy, so thus many hibernating species often look fresh when they emerge in the spring (or late winter here).Had my first Brimstone of the year this morning in Northern Hampshire. Appeared to be fresh & bright so more like a hatchee than a hibernator