Butterflie, Marbled White, 25062022, 08 f

Marbled White, " Melanargia galathea ", ( Satyridae ),

 

Unmistakable butterfly with broad, rounded wings, Often feeds on knapweed flowers and is fond of basking in the mornings Roosts on grass stems in late afternoon,

Adult has upperwings marked with a striking pattern of black and white, dark elements of markings are more intense in male than female, Underwings show a similar pattern to that seen on upperwings, but black elements are greyish in male and yellow-tinged grey in female, especial, and scattered, Flies June - August,

Egg :- is white and spherical, and scattered by female while in flight,

Larva :- can be either green or brown, feeds on a range of grasses, but particularly fescues, Yorkshire-fog and Tor-grass,

Pupa :- is formed at base of vegetation,

Status :- Widespread and locally common in grassland across South and central England and South Wales,

Wingspan :- 5 cm,

Similer Species :- None

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