Marbled White

Melanargia Galathea 

Family Browns 

• Colouring – White with black tips on the wings and on the body, underside is a mix of grey / white and black.
• Life span – June to July.
• Native – British butterfly.
• Caterpillar colour – Light brown then green.
• Eggs to caterpillar – 3 – 4 weeks.
• Food for the caterpillar – Grass blades.
• Food for the butterfly – Grasses, mixed scrubs.

Special features

In an attempt to avoid the number one predator (birds) it is thought that the Marbled White exhibits colouring that shows to a potential predator its unpalatability. Male and female are similar in appearance, although the female has a brown hue to her underside and a creamy brown leading edge to her forewings.