Speckled Wood Butterfly

The Speckled Wood is a medium-sized brown butterfly with cream or pale yellow spots on its wings. Unlike many other British butterflies, it prefers dappled shade instead of open sunlight. It is commonly found at the edges of woods, in hedgerows, and in shaded gardens. Male Speckled Woods are very territorial. They often take part in spiralling fights in the air above sunlit patches on the woodland floor. This butterfly is found across England and Wales, and has been spreading into Scotland and Ireland in recent years. It has a long flight period from March to October and can produce several generations in a year. Depending on the weather, it spends the winter either as a caterpillar or in its chrysalis stage. You can spot Speckled Woods patrolling shaded paths or resting on bramble leaves where sunlight filters through. Their spotted wings help them blend in well with tree bark and fallen leaves.