Marbled White Butterfly

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Marbled White - Melanargia galathea.jpg
Scientific Name: 
Melanargia galathea
Wingspan: 
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: 
<p> 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. </p>
Status: 
  • UK BAP status: not listed
  • Butterfly Conservation priority: low
  • European threat status: not threatened