Sussex Butterfly Conservation : Species

Butterfly Species in Sussex

Mating pair of Marbled Whites -photo by Martin Kalaher

Marbled White

Melanargia galathea

Description

This species is common and sometimes abundant on the South Downs, but away from downland it can also be found in the clearings and widened rides of our Sussex woodlands. It is widely-distributed throughout Sussex, but with rather fewer records for the geographical area to the east and north-east of Eastbourne. Some colonies are small, consisting of a dozen or so adults, but other colonies such as the one at Chantry Hill can number 3000-4000 in a good year.

With its striking black-and-white pattern, the Marbled White is one of our loveliest butterflies of high summer and easy to identify.

Between 2006-2024 the “average first sighting” was June 11th (range, June 8th to June 30th). Peak numbers are seen in mid-July but as this species has a relatively short flight period we do not see many beyond the first week of August (“average last sighting” August 13th).

A partial second generation was recognised in 1933 when a single specimen was recorded at an unspecified western locality in late September or early October, and another at Fulking on 15/10/1933. In this millennium there have been autumn records on 09/09/2006 at Pulborough Brooks, 13/09/2012 at Stedham Common and 15/09/2018 at Brighton. These September records certainly point towards a second brood and with a warming climate we may see more autumn records in the years to come.

Various grass species are used as larval foodplants with firm favourites Cocksfoot and Sheep’s Fescue. Other known species used include, Catstail, Tor Grass, Yorkshire-fog and Timothy.

Where to find

There are many downland sites where this is a common butterfly species, but for greatest numbers, consider visiting Castle Hill NNR from TQ369071 to TQ366069, Chantry Hill at TQ0812, Fairmile Bottom LNR at SU988093, Friston Forest and Lullington Heath NNR from TV527993 to TV544986 and TQ5401, and High and Over from TQ511014 to TQ488023.