(Linnaeus, 1767)
Cleopatra
Description:
The Cleopatra is found in light woodland, woodland edges and open bushy places. The males are easily recognized in flight by the orange patches on their forewings; the female looks very much like an ordinary brimstone. They are strong flyers that sometimes roam outside their breeding area.
The eggs are laid on the young leaves of various buckthorns, such as Buckthorn (Rhamnus catharticus), Mediterranean Buckthorn (R. alaternus), and Alpine Buckthorn (R. alpinus). The caterpillars feed on the leaves, and pupate on the twigs of the food plant. The Cleopatra hibernates as an adult butterfly, and therefore can be seen flying for most of the year.
Probably, it has only one generation a year.
Habitat:
Evergreen woodland
Sclerophyllous scrub
Similar species:
Gonepteryx rhamni
Gonepteryx farinosa