www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

It was observed that UK butterfly species that laid their eggs (or oviposited) individually, appeared to have evolved to rely more on larvae camouflage, so that other predatory species higher up the food chain, were rewarded less for local hunting routines (going back to the same place, once food was found).
Butterfly species that laid their eggs in batches, groups or clumps, generally, evolved to rely less on camouflage, and more on group performance or being distasteful to predators.
Butterflies that laid their eggs individually, might have evolved to be stronger flyers (fly further afield (or meadow ), for the above reasons.
#Meal Size

I'm not sure I agree with your final hypothesis, Philip.

There are some batch layers that are extremely powerful in flight, such as Large Tort and Camberwell Beauty.

Cheers,

- Pete

The camouflage theory is quite convincing. Well camouflaged individuals gain little benefit if they are in a crowd and a predator can sit there picking them off one by one just by nosing around. The appearance and behaviour (and tastiness) of the group would seem to be more open to selective pressures. But I agree with Pete that there are plenty of examples of batch layers capable of flying great distances, including large whites, of course, that Pete didn't mention.

Are large whites more toxic than their more cryptic, singleton cousins?

Guy