Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria)
Family: Nymphalidae Checklist: 59.003
Description
Wing span: 40-45 mm. The Speckled Wood is a common butterfly. The sexes are similar. It is found throughout the British Isles except the extreme north of Scotland. Its habitat is deciduous, coniferous and mixed woodland, but it can be found anywhere there is sufficient scrub to provide the dappled shade that it favours. This includes gardens and hedgerows.Life Cycle
There are usually three generations per year. The first starts around the end of March, the second in July and the third in September. Both larvae and pupae over-winter, which makes the Speckled Wood unique among British butterflies.
Earliest UTB first sighting (since 2004): 16th January
Mean UTB first sighting (since 2004): 29th March
Larval Foodplants
The main larval food plants are Cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata), Common Couch (Elymus repens), False Brome (Brachypodium pinnatum) and Yorkshire-fog (Holcus lanatus). Nectar Sources
Adults feed primarily on honeydew or sap, rarely on flowers.UK Conservation Status
Least ConcernSites
This species is a habitat generalist, so can be found almost anywhere in the UTB region.Related Species
