Invertebrates
Speckled Wood
Pararge aegeria · also called speckled wood butterfly
In a shady wood, a male speckled wood guards a single patch of sunlight on the path, rising in a spiral to see off every rival that dares to enter his sunbeam.
Overview
The speckled wood, Pararge aegeria, is a Least Concern butterfly of shady woodland, hedgerows, and gardens across Europe and North Africa. Its dappled pattern, sunbeam territories, and flexible overwintering make it one of the most characteristic butterflies of woodland.
A butterfly of light and shade
Because the speckled wood’s wings match the pattern of dappled light, it is hard to see in the woodland it favours.
Status
Least Concern, widespread and expanding in parts of northern Europe.
Speckled Wood: common questions
Why do speckled wood males fight over sunbeams?
Males defend patches of sunlight on the woodland floor, which are good places to meet females, and drive off rivals in spiralling flights.
How does the speckled wood spend the winter?
It can spend the winter either as a caterpillar or as a chrysalis, which is unusual among butterflies.
What do speckled wood caterpillars eat?
They feed on grasses.
Where is the speckled wood found?
It lives in shady woodland, hedgerows, and gardens across Europe and North Africa.