Wednesday, 15 February 2012
Marbled White Butterfly
Scientific Name:
Melanargia galathea
Wingspan (mm):
54 mm Description
A striking butterfly - The upperside is creamy white and black patches with an almost white scalloped margin. The underwing is a much paler almost grey version of the upper. The male and female look similar except quite often the female will have a suffusion of yellow on the hindwing underside.
Distribution
This species is widespread in southern Britain and has expanded northwards and eastwards over the last twenty years, despite some losses within its range.
Habitat
Colonies occur on unimproved grassland where a range of grass species, including Red Fescue, form a tall sward that is cut or grazed infrequently. The strongest populations are found on chalk or limestone, but a range of habitats is used, including woodland rides and clearings, coastal grassland, waste ground, set-aside, road verges, and railway embankments..
Diet
Red Fescue is thought to be essential in the diet of larvae but Sheep's-fescue, Yorkshire-fog, and Tor-grass, are also eaten. It is thought that several other grasses may be used, but the full range is not known.
Status
UK BAP status: not listed Butterfly Conservation priority: low European threat status: not threatened
Male Image
Female Image
