Pararge aegeria, (Linnaeus, 1758) commonly known as Speckled Wood.
Average wingspan is 5.1 cm (2inches) Males are usually slightly smaller.
Family: Nymphalidae
Flight period: (South UK) up to three generations from late February till early October.
Mostly widespread and common throughout the British Isles (except south of Scotland) Also widespread and common in Europe, as far north as southern Norway and Sweden.
Habitat: This species is a true woodland butterfly, males appear a few days before the females and are territorial, they will protect their “patch” from other males while waiting for the females to appear. The Speckled Wood prefers damp shaded areas, but will also take advantage of dappled sunlight areas. Can also be found in shaded areas of scrub and hedgerows, very seldom will be seen visiting flowers.
The female lays her eggs on a variety of grass host plants for larval food, such as Brachypodium sylvaticum. The caterpillar is green with a short, forked tail.
Adults visit various grasses and feed mainly on the sap of Honey dew. Also will occasionally visit wild plants such as Bramble, (Rubus fruticosus) Cuckooflower, lady’s smock, mayflower (Cardamine pratensis) Dandelion (Taraxacum) Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea).