Satyrids (Browns)
This family contains mainly brown and muted orange coloured butterflies with white-pupiled eye-spots, generally prominent at the tips of the forewings. The exception is the Marbled White which superficially appears to be closer related to the Pierid family. All caterpillars feed on grasses or sedges, are cryptically camouflaged and have tapering projections at head and tail. Chrysalises can be suspended or formed amongst moss and stones.
Marbled White (Melanargia galathea)
Marbled White (Melanargia galathea)

Marbled White (Melanargia galathea)
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Satyrinae
Tribe: Melanargiini
Genus: Melanargia
Species: galathea
Subspecies: serena

Key ID Features:
Black and white chequering on upperwings distinctive, slightly greyer in the female.
Mottled underside is darker in the male and more ochreous in the female.

Seen in UK: June-September

Despite its name, the Marbled White is more closely related to the subfamily known as the "browns" than the "whites". This butterfly is unmistakable, its black and white markings distinguishing it from all other species found in the British Isles. This butterfly is found in distinct and often large colonies, south of a line between Glamorganshire in the west and North-east Yorkshire in the east, although it is not found in much of eastern England. It is absent from Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man.

Text (c) UK Butterflies, used with permission
For more information click here

Photographer: Tim Tapley

Marbled White (Melanargia galathea)

Marbled White (Melanargia galathea)
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Satyrinae
Tribe: Melanargiini
Genus: Melanargia
Species: galathea
Subspecies: serena

Key ID Features:
Black and white chequering on upperwings distinctive, slightly greyer in the female.
Mottled underside is darker in the male and more ochreous in the female.

Seen in UK: June-September

Despite its name, the Marbled White is more closely related to the subfamily known as the "browns" than the "whites". This butterfly is unmistakable, its black and white markings distinguishing it from all other species found in the British Isles. This butterfly is found in distinct and often large colonies, south of a line between Glamorganshire in the west and North-east Yorkshire in the east, although it is not found in much of eastern England. It is absent from Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man.

Text (c) UK Butterflies, used with permission
For more information click here

Photographer: Tim Tapley