Marbled white

Marbled whites are striking, well-marked, black and white butterflies. They are unmistakable within the British Isles, and are particularly obvious in the early morning when they can be seen on flowers basking open-winged in the sun. Large colonies are found on their favoured grassy, flower-rich meadows, although verges and field margins are also home to smaller colonies. They are widespread and common throughout Europe and south and east Britain. Bright red parasitic mites cling to the marbled white's head or abdomen, but don't appear to affect their health.