Invertebrates
Marbled White
Melanargia galathea · also called marbled white butterfly
On a chalk hillside in July, marbled whites float over the tall grass like scraps of black-and-white lace, dropping eggs into the sward as they pass.
Overview
The marbled white, Melanargia galathea, is a Least Concern butterfly of flower-rich grassland across southern and central Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. Its chequered wings, egg-scattering flight, and love of chalk grassland make it one of the most distinctive summer butterflies.
A brown in disguise
Despite its pale wings, the marbled white is a member of the browns, a reminder that a butterfly’s common name can be misleading.
Status
Least Concern, widespread and often abundant where suitable grassland remains.
Marbled White: common questions
Is the marbled white a true white butterfly?
No, it belongs to the browns, the same group as the meadow brown and gatekeeper, despite its white and black pattern.
How does the marbled white lay its eggs?
Females drop their eggs freely among the grass as they fly low over it, rather than laying them on a particular plant.
What do marbled white caterpillars eat?
They feed on grasses such as sheep's fescue.
Where is the marbled white found?
It lives in flower-rich grassland across southern and central Europe, North Africa, and western Asia.