Marbled White

Melanargia galathea

The Marbled White is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. Found across most of Europe, north Africa, and as far east as Iran, the late twentieth century has seen an expansion of its range in the UK.
Marbled White Butterfly (Melanargia galathea) I live in an area of Chalk Downland, this butterfly's favourite environment.

For those few too brief weeks/months in the summer, the local fields are alive with this beautiful, uniquely patterned butterfly.

See one close-up, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ij-8rvv99zU Geotagged,Marbled White,Melanargia galathea,Spring,United Kingdom

Naming

Another nickname for the Marbled White butterfly is the "Marmoress".
Melanargia galathea Mating pair of Marbled White butterflies on a hemp agrimony in bloom in a meadow. Pyrénées Orientales, France.
 Butterfly,Eupatorium cannabinum,France,Hemp Agrimony,Insecta,Lepidoptera,Male,Marbled White,Melanargia,Melanargia galathea,Nymphalidae

Habitat

Despite its common name, this butterfly is one of the "browns", of the subfamily Satyrinae. They are a common sight in unimproved grasslands across southern Britain, particularly on the South Downs.
Marbled white Alverstone Nature Reserve, Isle of Wight Geotagged,Isle of Wight,Marbled White,Melanargia galathea,Summer,United Kingdom,butterflies

Reproduction

Eggs are laid on the wing, or from brief perches on grass stems, and are just sprinkled among the grass stems. Upon hatching, the larvae immediately enter hibernation, and only feed the following spring when the fresh growth occurs. They are a lime green colour, with a dark green line running down the middle of their back. Pupation takes place at ground level in a loose cocoon. Adults emerge in July, and, on a good site, in warm, sunny weather, thousands can be seen gently fluttering amongst the grass heads.
Brush-footed butterfly - Melanargia galathea  Animalia,Antenna,Arthropoda,Brush-footed butterfly,Bulgaria,Butterfly,Close-up,Closeup,Geotagged,Insecta,Lepidoptera,Macro,Marbled White,Melanargia galathea,Nymphalidae,Papilionoidea,Summer,Wildlife,Wings

Food

Like other members of its subfamily, the larvae feed on various grasses. The full range is unknown, but it is thought that Red Fescue "Festuca rubra" is essential in their diet.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionArthropoda
ClassInsecta
OrderLepidoptera
FamilyNymphalidae
GenusMelanargia
SpeciesM. galathea