Marbled white

Description:

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 but only on magnesian grasslands. this field full of knapweed and thistles was full of these beauties which are at their peak mid July. there is only one generation per year.

Habitat:

found at Brockadale nature reserve at little smeaton, west Yorkshire. A site owned and maintained by the Yorkshire wildlife trust.

Notes:

there must have been at least 100 of these in the one field alone, all feeding from the same flowers and filling the filed with black and white!