Western Marbled White (Melanargia occitanica)
2009 photos highlighted in yellow. Click on any photo to go to an enlarged picture, or simply scroll down the page.
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| 10721_male_Var_22May08 | 10991_female_Var_31May08 | 15343_male_Bouches du Rhone_22May09 |
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| 15340_female_Bouches du Rhone_22May09 | 10716_female_Var_22May08 |
A very attractive butterfly that is principally found in Spain but its distribution extends eastwards across southern France but no further. It has an appealing bluish colour in the unh ocelli. It is single brooded and is on the wing in May to mid-June. I have only found it in the western part of Var where is has been locally very common, although I find it very nervous and difficult to approach and photograph, often settling low and in undergrowth.
10721: a male, based on body shape and heavier markings. Altitude 340m.
10991: a female, based on body shape and the lightness of the markings, very light even by the standards of female occitanica. The light and delicate markings make this species look more a white than a satyrid in flight. Altitude 200m.
15343: a male, as indicated by the paleness of the brown colouring of the veins. Altitude 35m.
15340: a female, somewhat darker brown around the veins. Altitude 35m.
10716: a female underside, showing the delicate pale chocolate brown markings and subtle blue centres in the ocelli. It has a frustrating habit of settling only on the ground and in light undergrowth, making it very difficult to get a good photograph. Altitude 340m.
15343_male_Bouches du Rhone_22May09
15340_female_Bouches du Rhone_22May09
