MARBLED WHITE |
MELANARGIA GALATHEA |
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| Fig 1 |
ADULT: Wingspan - 53mm (male); 58mm (female). Quite simply
a distinctive butterfly due to the black and white reticulations of the
upperwing surfaces. Females appear more paler. The
undersides of both sexes are as above but paler with the female
appearing more olive green in colour. CHRYSALIS: 12 - 15mm. Pale brown and located under moss and
earth. LARVA: 28mm. Pale yellow or brown with one yellow line
along each side and two black lines across the back. EGG: White, round and located within tall grass and
vegetation. Hatching time within 23 days. BEHAVIOUR: Found in colonies some of which are quite populated.
Morning and evenings are best for viewing as both sexes enjoy basking on
the tops of tall flowers and grasses. The slow wingbeat is
distinctive. HABITAT: Chalk and limestone hillsides, grassland, open meadows and
verges. FLIGHT PERIOD: Mid June - August. |