Sunday 7 July 2013

Marbled White.

With the improved weather conditions ... sunshine and higher temperatures I continued my search for any of our colourful butterflies by heading over to Steers Field at Ranmore Common. 
Despite this being an excellent location for many species I was surprised that initially there appeared to be very little activity apart from one or two Small Heath, a single Peacock, a couple of Meadow Browns, one Ringlet and a few Skippers. The grass has grown very tall so it is possible that some or indeed many where still in hiding. 


Undaunted I turned my attention to the southern slope where the sward is much shorter and noticed a few black and white flutters dancing over the hillside and eventually spotted one at rest .... a Marbled White (Melanargia galathea).

This species prefers unimproved flowery grassland but can be found along woodland rides, coastal paths and chalk downland. Normally, fairly sedentary, it spends most sunny days flapping lazily between feeding and basking on knapweeds and scabiouses.

After checking my ID guide I'm taking a punt that all these shots were of a male.

The Marbled White is single brooded and only usually on the wing from mid June through to mid August. It thrives following hot, dry summers so we will have to wait and see whether our current weather continues long enough for this species.   FAB.

Linking to Camera Critters, Macro Monday 2 and Nature Notes.

21 comments:

  1. very sharp looking butterfly!

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  2. Frank I enjoy your butterfly photographs as much as the birds. Perhaps they're a lot easier to keep in the lens. No butterflies of any note around here - a citrus 'butterfly' or a 'cabbage moth' is pretty much it. If there were a host of them I'd definately get myself a butterfly book to learn more about these beautiful insects. As a youngster I remember beingn fascinated with the metallic colours shining in the sun of the crysalis, often suspected on the oleander shrub. Wonder what kind of butterfly that belonged to?

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  3. Very pretty butterfly, Frank! Wonderful photos.

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  4. This Marbled White is beautiful and these are great photos!

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  5. Fabulous shots of this beauty. I love the intricate pattern on his wings.

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  6. Lovely photos of this beautiful butterfly.

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  7. Such a beautiful butterfly. Wonderful pictures.

    Herding Cats

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  8. Oh what a stunning butterfly!

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  9. Great shots Frank.
    You are right about them being all male. The female underside is very pale washed out and the lines are more brown than black on the underside.

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  10. WHat beautiful markings it has. Terrific captures!

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  11. What a good find! These very attractive butterflies look stunning in your lovely captures.

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  12. Gorgeous, haven't seen one like this, so it's really breath taking!

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  13. What an elegantly decorated butterfly, the black and white contrast is so artistic. I enjoyed your photos.

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  14. Oh, the Marbled White is gorgeous! Very lovely images!

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  15. Quite spectacular for a black and white insect. Hopefully the forecast longish warm spell will help them.

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  16. Well done for getting these super images of this notoriously flighty beauty Frank. They're not the most co-operative of photographic models, always on the move and when they do pitch it's rarely in a good position for a photograph. I managed to get my first half decent images so far this year only a couple of days ago. And a cracking first image, as well!...[;o)

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  17. The butterfly is a beauty. Great shots.

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  18. The Marbled White is a very handsome butterfly!

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  19. Lovely shots - the field looks like a marvelous place for all sorts of creatures to hide or rest.

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  20. I would love to do this Frank. I am glad you are finding some butterflies. Sadly there are few here in NY state. Thank you for linking into Nature Notes this week... Michelle

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  21. Hi Everyone.

    Many thanks for all your lovely comments ... as always they are much appreciated.

    My subsequent butterfly forays haven't so far found too many other species but there have been plenty of these stunning Marbled Whites on the wing.

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I hope you enjoyed your visit and I always appreciate your comments and feedback.

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