Male. Taken at Daneway Banks, Gloucs, on July 8th 2021. (© David Hastings)
(1/640th sec at f13)

Male underside. Taken at Radley Lakes, Oxon., on June 22nd 2022. (© David Hastings)
(1/800th sec at f13)

Female. Taken at Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon., on June 30th 2021. (© David Hastings)
(1/500th sec at f11)

Female underside. Taken at Waterperry Wood, Oxon., on June 22nd 2020. (© David Hastings)
(1/1250th sec at f11)

Mating pair. Taken at Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon on July 2nd 2011. (© David Hastings)
(1/500th sec at f13)

F. procida. Taken at Gornje Taboriste, Croatia on June 5th 2017. (© David Hastings)
(1/160th sec at f13)

Ab. galene. Taken in the Vercors Natural Park, France, on July 20th 2018. (© David Hastings)
(1/800th sec at f14)

Description

Family: Satyrinae

Wing span: 45-47mm

The Marbled White is an attractive black and white butterfly which is unlikely to be mistaken for any other species. The sexes are similar, except that the female is larger and has a brown wing leading edge.

It is found throughout most of southern and central England, north and east Yorkshire, and parts of south Wales. It is absent from Scotland and Ireland.

It is found in unimproved grassland where the grass grows up to 18 inches high. The largest colonies are found on downland but even small strips of grassland, such as road verges, field margins, woodland clearings and disused railway lines can also contain colonies.

There is one brood per year. Adults begin to emerge in mid-June, with the peak in mid-July, tailing off into August. The larva is the over-wintering stage.

The main larval foodplants are Red Fescue, Sheep's-fescue, Tor-grass and Yorkshire-fog.

Adults feed primarily on Thistles. Knapweeds, Marjoram, Red Clover, Thyme, White Clover and Yarrow are also used.

Adults often cluster together on suitable flower heads.

Least Concern

Earliest UK sighting: 2nd June ; Latest UK sighting: 10th August

Sightings