Insect
Speckled Wood
Pararge aegeriaAlso known as Speckled Wood Butterfly
Speckled Woods are brown woodland butterflies patterned with cream or pale yellow patches and small eyespots. Males defend shifting pools of sunlight, while caterpillars feed on grasses growing in dappled shade.
woodland butterflysunfleck territorygrass feeder
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyAdults take honeydew and nectar; caterpillars graze leaves of woodland grasses
Predators
- birds
- spiders
- dragonflies
ThreatsWoodland clearance, pesticide use, drought, loss of shady grass, and altered forest structure
HabitatsDeciduous woodland, hedgerows, shaded lanes, forest clearings, and leafy gardens
Life spanAdults live for several weeks; multiple generations may occur within a year
Classification
- FamilyNymphalidae
- SpeciesPararge aegeria
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Avoid chasing perched butterflies or trampling shaded grasses used by their caterpillars.
Responsible observation
- Identify: Look for cream checks and eyespots on warm brown wings.
- Watch: Pause beside a woodland sunfleck and let territorial adults return.
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