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
Brimstone larval host plant
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Vince Massimo
- Administrator & Stock Contributor
- Posts: 1889
- Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2008 7:36 pm
- Location: Crawley, Sussex
-
Vince Massimo
- Administrator & Stock Contributor
- Posts: 1889
- Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2008 7:36 pm
- Location: Crawley, Sussex
Re: Brimstone larval host plant
I now have a full correction and update to my previous post.
Following further visits to the site I have established, without doubt, that the plant on which the Brimstone laid her eggs is Common Buckthorn. This is only a small sprig growing within a larger clump of Common Dogwood. I have since found a further 6 eggs on the same plant.
Apologies, therefore, for posting an incorrect report, but there is one unusual aspect which remains in this case. This is that the two eggs I observed being laid on 7th April, were placed on the bark rather than on a bud or an emerging leaf. (Thanks to Pete Eels for pointing this out).
This egg appears to have a small hole near the base, which may indicate that it has been parasitized.
The other 6 eggs were all found on leaves, which is the usual location.
Vince
Following further visits to the site I have established, without doubt, that the plant on which the Brimstone laid her eggs is Common Buckthorn. This is only a small sprig growing within a larger clump of Common Dogwood. I have since found a further 6 eggs on the same plant.
Apologies, therefore, for posting an incorrect report, but there is one unusual aspect which remains in this case. This is that the two eggs I observed being laid on 7th April, were placed on the bark rather than on a bud or an emerging leaf. (Thanks to Pete Eels for pointing this out).
- Brimstone Ovum on Common Buckthorn 10-April-2011
- Developing Brimstone Ovum on Common Buckthorn 17-April-2011
The other 6 eggs were all found on leaves, which is the usual location.
Vince