The image was taken on June 21, 2020 in Hungary. To my knowledge, Brimstones mate in the spring after overwintering, not in the summer after they emerge from their pupae, but these two specimens have disproved all of my previous observations. May and most of June were colder than avarage in Hungary. Could that be the cause of this phenomenon? I couldn't find any information about this.
Hello Ádám Gór . As far as I know, you are right. Gonepteryx rhamni usually mate in spring after hibernation. Although, especially in colder regions mating can take place a little bit later in the year. Furthermore, if I remember correctly, it is possible that this species has more than one generation per year, even though this is quite rare.
Best regards
Paul
Hello Ádám Gór.
getting closed to Brimstone is much easier is summer than spring , any aera of sunny of open grassland with thistles knapweedes and other nector -rich flower should a ttract them .
After the common Brimstone emerges from hibernation, it travels towards habitats that contain larval host plants and mates. The Brimstone is primarily monandrous, as demonstrated by the presence of usually only a single spermatophore in females throughout the mating season.Pairs are formed after the butterflies have engaged in a dalliance flight for a period of time When a pair settles to mate, they do not take flight during copulation and remain paired for a long time of up to forty-eight hours .
Best regards
Nebras
Hello Paul Griesberger . Thank you for your answer. Brimstones have only one generation per year in Hungary. These two were freshly emerged as the other more than hundred specimens at that time. This mating must be a very rare case and I was in the right place at the right time, I guess.
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