The Italian marbled white Melanargia Arge is one of the most interesting and elegant species of butterflies. It is an endemic species found only in the southern half of Italy and the eastern half of Sicily. Lives only in dry and warm grazing lands, and flies from the ten last days of March until the first days of June. This butterfly is found in the wide areas of province of Salerno and in the Campania Region.
This species is closely related to be found in dry steppe with emerged rocks, spreaded bushes and trimmed trees. It is observed flying mainly in the valley floors where founds protection from the wind or in inland hills. In its immature, wingless stage the butterfly grows at the expense of various species of oat grass. The action of the fully-grown insect takes place from May to June.
Its identification is easily made by the white colored wings, while in the front part exists a circular, eye-shaped, design of light blue color encircled by black details. This species is protected by The Habitats Directive of European Commission because is endangered from the changing climate factors such as conflagrations and the excessive pasture. For the protection of this particular species it is necessary to maintain the existence of the uncontaminated landscapes such as dried, grassy and bushy areas.
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“Monitoraggio del patrimonio di biodiversità. Analisi per la gestione delle risorse ambientali per la conservazione della biodiversità”, Agriconsulting spa per l’Ente Parco Regionale dei Monti Lattari