Speckled Wood - Pararge aegeria, species information page

Speckled Wood - Pararge aegeria, click for a larger picture

Speckled Wood Butterfly - Pararge aegeria

Grows to between 32 - 45mm (1.3 - 1.8in). Found in most of Europe to Africa and Asia, but common only in southern England, local further north and rare to absent in Scotland, in deciduous woods, beech and oak forests. Two generations in a year, the first from March to early June and the second in July to September. A very varied species usually geographically related. Overall brown in colour with pale brown or white patches, more on the forewings than the rear. Caterpillar found during the summer on varied grasses, European chrysalis hibernate over the winter.

P. aegeria - found over southern Europe to North Africa,
P. tircis - found in central Europe,
P. egerides - also found in central Europe have a lighter background colouration.

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