Insect
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Size
53–58 mm wingspanAbout the width of a small smartphone
Weight
0.3 gLighter than a paperclip
Lifespan
One generation a year; adults fly for several weeks in summer
M vs F
Males and females look similar; females are usually slightly larger with more black on the underside
Habitat
Warm, species-rich chalk and limestone grassland, woodland rides, railway cuttings and road verges
Best time
June–August
Conservation
UK: Green
LC
💡 Did you know?
Despite its name and colouring, the Marbled White is actually part of the 'brown' butterfly family, not the whites
Caterpillars feed on fine grasses, especially Red Fescue, and hatch from eggs in autumn but don't start feeding until the following spring
Often confused with
None — its bold black and white checkerboard pattern is unmistakable among UK butterflies
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