Marbled White

Melanargia galathea

I used to see these often in my local fields, but sadly haven’t noticed any for the past few years. The ground colour of the upper side ranges from chalky white to creamy white with dark brown variable patterning. Wingspan 55mm.

The caterpillars feed on a wide range of grasses, but mainly Red Fescue and Sheep’s Fescue.

It flies June to August. Found in rough, flower-rich grassland. Widespread and resident.

Photographs taken July 2006 and 2012, local field, Staffordshire.

07/1607/16 by Peter Hillman Categories: Butterflies, Insects, Nature PhotographyTags: Butterflies, Butterfly, Insects, Lepidoptera, Marbled White, Melanargia galathea, Nature, Nature Photography, Wildlife Photography 2 Comments