- Wildlife
- Invertebrates
- Butterflies and moths
- Speckled Wood
Neil Aldridge
About
A medium-sized butterfly, the Speckled Wood is on the wing in two or three broods, between the end of March and the end of October. It is a common and widespread butterfly of woodland edges and rides, where it flies in the dappled sunlight, and can also be seen in hedgerows and gardens. Adults feed on honeydew while the caterpillars feed on a variety of grasses including False Broom and Cock's-foot.
How to identify
The Speckled Wood is dark brown with creamy yellow spots. The best way to identify the 'brown' butterflies is by looking at the eyespots on their wings. The Speckled Wood is the only brown butterfly with three small, cream-ringed eyespots on each hindwing and one on each forewing.
Where to find it
Found in woodlands throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland, increasingly found in Scotland.
Habitats
When to find it
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
How can people help
The Speckled Wood has made a comeback during recent times and is now widespread in woodlands and even gardens. The Wildlife Trusts manage many woodland nature reserves for the benefit of butterflies: a mix of coppicing, scrub-cutting, ride maintenance and non-intervention all help woodland wildlife to thrive. You can help too: volunteer for your local Wildlife Trust and you could be involved in everything from traditional forest crafts to surveying for butterflies.