Var, France, May 2012

Digne les Bains, France, May 2022

Field notes and information

A distinctive species with brown markings on the underside hindwing and pale blue spots. The population on Sicily, pherusa, is now often raised to species rank. It may also be an evolutionary intermediate between the western and the Italian marbled whites, M. occitanica & M. arge.

Identification & Similar species: The brown lines on the underside hindwing are distinctive.

Distribution & Flight: Much of the Iberian peninsular, Mediterranean France and northwest Africa. An outflung population pherusa from Sicily is now more frequently considered a new species.

Habitat & Behaviour: Hot dry stony places with flowers. Often in scrub or light woodland.

Pyrénées Orientales, France, May 2006

Granada, Spain, May 2019

Var, France, May 2012

Bouches du Rhône, France, May 2006

Catalonia, Spain, May 2007

Granada, Spain, May 2019

Var, France, May 2012

Alpes de Haute Provence, France, May 2005

Provence, France, May 2002

Les Alpilles, S France, April 2004

Pyrénées Orientales, France, May 2006

Sierra Nevada, Spain, July 2013

At the very high altitude of 2200m the butterfly can still be found as late as mid July, albeit in very poor condition.

Provence, France, May 2002