Cleopatra Butterfly on Ivy

Commonly known as brimstones because of their bright, sulphur-yellow colouring, Cleopatra butterflies (Gonepteryx cleopatra) are native to Northern Africa, Spain, Portugal and Sicily.

Their yellow-green wings are leaf-shaped to provide camouflage and softly shaded with a small spot being the only significant marking.

Depicted here resting on a sprig of ivy leaves, this almost three-dimensional embroidery is worked with stranded silk threads, fine cotton, silk organza and fine wires onto silk taffeta.