| Family | Nymphalidae |
|---|---|
| Subfamily | Satyrinae |
| Genus | Melanargia |
| Species | russiae |
| Authority | (Esper, 1783) |
| English Name | Esper's Marbled White |
| European Red List 2010 | Least Concern (LC) |
|---|---|
| EU 27 Red List 2010 | Least Concern (LC) |
| European Red List 2025 | Least Concern (LC) |
| EU 27 Red List 2025 | Least Concern (LC) |
| Habitats Directive | |
| Bern Convention | |
| CITES |
Esper’s Marbled White is a butterfly of grassy vegetation, occurring both on acid and calcareous soils. The butterflies are often found on dry, rocky slopes but also in grassy glades in woods. They are fond of visiting thistles and like plants for their nectar. Various meadow grasses (Poa spp.) and false bromes (Brachypodium spp.), Feather Grass (Stipa pinnata), and Aegilops geniculata are used as foodplants. The caterpillars hibernate and pupate on the ground in the spring. This species is single-brooded.
Albania / Andorra / France / France: Mainland / Greece / Greece: Mainland / Hungary (Regionally Extinct) / Italy / Italy: Mainland / Italy: Sicily / North Macedonia / Moldova / Portugal / Portugal: Mainland / European Russia / Spain / Spain: Mainland / Ukraine /