Brimstone larval host plant
Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 3:29 pm
While observing Brimstone activity in my local wood in Woldingham, Surrey today, I was surprised to see a female egglaying on Common Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea). At least 2 eggs were placed. All of the information I have points to Alder Buckthorn and Common/Purging Buckthorn as the foodplants used by this species. The only other association with Dogwood I have seen is that they sometimes favour the underside of Dogwood leaves for roosting. I will monitor the eggs to see how they develop.
(EDIT: 10th April. I have now re-visited the site and am coming to the conclusion that the host plant is actually a small Buckthorn growing in a clump of Dogwood. I will post a full correction to this report once the leaves have fully developed and I can make a final identification of the plant.)
Vince
(EDIT: 10th April. I have now re-visited the site and am coming to the conclusion that the host plant is actually a small Buckthorn growing in a clump of Dogwood. I will post a full correction to this report once the leaves have fully developed and I can make a final identification of the plant.)
Vince