Marbled White

The Marbled White is a distinctive medium-sized white butterfly, with black-chequered markings. Adults are on the wing in the summer, from June to August. Strong colonies can be found on warm, species-rich chalk and limestone grasslands, but woodland rides and clearings, railways cuttings and road verges are also frequented. The adults can often be found feeding on purple flowers such as Field Scabious, Common Knapweed and Wild Marjoram. The caterpillars feed on a variety of grasses, but Red Fescue is especially important.