Speckled Wood
Found throughout Britain and Ireland, the Speckled Wood is dark brown with creamy white patches on wings. It occurs in woodland, gardens and hedgerows.
Latin name: Pararge aegeria
Family group: Browns
Countries: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland
Size: Medium
ResidentRange expanding.
The aptly named Speckled Wood flies in partially shaded woodland with dappled sunlight. The male usually perches in a small pool of sunlight, from where it rises rapidly to intercept any intruder. Both sexes feed on honeydew in the tree tops and are rarely seen feeding on flowers, except early and late in the year when aphid activity is low.
Range
The range of this butterfly contracted during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, but has spread back since the 1920s. It has continued to spread over the past two decades, recolonizing many areas in eastern and northern England and Scotland.
Conservation status
UK BAP status: not listed
Butterfly Conservation priority: low
European threat status: not threatened
See more information on the Butterfly Conservation website
Our thanks to Jim Asher for the use of this image, to whom copyright belongs.