Iberian Marbled White, medioluto ibérica

Description:

The Iberian Marbled White belongs to the family Nymphalidae. The wings are predominantly white, with black spots that draw a cheesboard-like design on the wing. It differs from the rest of the species of the genus Melanargia by the absence of a black transverse band in the middle of the cell of the forewing. It shares this same feature with Melanargia galathea, differing however, for the lack of a very wide grey band in the upper part of the cell and not having a very important dark diffusion area in the wings base. It is a relatively big butterfly with a wingspan up to 6 cm. Besides, it has a peculiarity: its chromosomes (2n: diploides) are 24, two sets of 12 chromosomes. Only one generation per year, flying from June to August. It winters as a caterpillar.

Habitat:

Spotted at an evergreen oak and pine tree forest. Dehesa de Valdelatas

Notes:

Camera Model: NIKON D500. Exposure Time: 1/640 sec.; f/13; ISO Speed Rating: 800. Focal Length: 300.0 mm. No flash fired. DSC_2401