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Species Account for Melanargia galathea

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Melanargia galathea  (Linnaeus, 1758)
Marbled White
Lepidoptera: butterflies: Satyridae

Marbled white on thistle Copyright: Sue Grayston

 
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Taxonomic group: butterflies (Lepidoptera: butterflies) - County data

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Records: 4681
First Record: 1981
Latest Record: 2024

1992-on hectads: 54
Pre-1992 hectads: 5
Total hectads: 54

Additional Phenology Data

Images

Marbled white on thistle
Marbled white on thistle
Marbled white butterfly
Marbled white butterfly
Melanargia galathea
Melanargia galathea

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Marbled White on UK Butterflies website
 
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Species text
The Marbled White Melanargia galathea is a local butterfly with a strongly south-western bias spreading as far north as the Yorkshire Wolds. It frequents areas of lightly cropped or ungrazed swards where the larva feed on various grasses. It is associated with tall grassland, but some management is required to ensure that this does not become too overgrown. The butterfly flourishes where grazing is light enough to allow some grass to grow long and form tussocks, yet heavy enough to ensure an open sward of both fine and coarse grasses, with plenty of flowers to provide nectar (Asher et al, 2001). In Essex the butterfly occurs in the south of the county, with Benfleet being one of the main localities where it has survived throughout the last century. In recent years it has been spreading, with colonies now at least as far west as Grays Chalk Quarry. References

Species text last edited on Tue Mar 20th 2007 by user 3

Habitats

Broad Habitat Data (based on 45 records with habitat information)

no subhabitat data available

Structural Habitat Data (based on 8 records with structural habitat information)

Habitat Detail and Method (based on 4681 records with habitat detail and method information)

Recorded management for locations with Melanargia galathea

Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Melanargia galathea

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