Iberian marbled white facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Iberian marbled white
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Synonyms
Melanargia lachesis (Hubner, 1790) Papilio lachesis Hübner, 1790 Lachesis ruscinonensis Oberthür & Houlbert, 1922 Melanargia galathea lachesis Melanargia ampliusangulata Bryk 1940 Melanargia catalana de Sagarra 1926 Melanargia chlorinda Oberthür 1936 Melanargia semi-cataleuca Varin 1955

The Iberian marbled white (scientific name: Melanargia lachesis) is a beautiful butterfly. It belongs to the family called Nymphalidae. This family is also known as the brush-footed butterflies.

Where It Lives

This butterfly can be found in specific parts of Europe. It lives on the Iberian Peninsula, which includes the countries of Spain and Portugal. You can also find it in the southern regions of France.

What It Looks Like

The Iberian marbled white butterfly has a wingspan of about 25 to 28 millimeters. This means its front wings are about that long. It often looks lighter in color than a similar butterfly called the marbled white.

Its wings are mostly white with black markings. On the front wings, there is a black spot that is shaped like an angle. The back wings are usually all white. Sometimes, the patterns from the underside of the wings can be seen through to the top.

Some of these butterflies have a creamy yellow color instead of chalky white. These are a bit rarer.

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  Melanargia lachesis male, top view

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  Melanargia lachesis male, bottom view

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  Melanargia lachesis female, top view

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  Melanargia lachesis female, bottom view

Life and Habitat

These butterflies fly during the summer months. You can usually see them from June to August. They complete their entire life cycle in just one generation each year.

They live in areas from flat plains up to about 1,600 meters (about 5,250 feet) above sea level. They especially like dry, natural meadows that have many flowers. These areas might also have some bushes growing in them.

The young butterflies, called larvae or caterpillars, eat different types of grasses. This helps them grow and get ready to turn into butterflies.