Iberian Marbled White, medioluto ibérica

Description:

The Iberian Marbled White (Melanargia lachesis) is a butterfly species belonging to the family Nymphalidae. The genus (Melanargia) differs clearly from the rest of Satyrinae because the wings are predominantly white, with black spots that draw a cheesboard-like design on the wing. It differs from the resto 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. The dark stains are much smaller in this species. 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:

It can be found on the Iberian Peninsula and the south of France. Spotted in a Holm oak forest

Notes:

Different specimen spotted showing the wings upper side: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/120... Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/800 sec. f/14 ISO Speed Rating: 200. Focal Length: 300.0 mm.