A male Speckled Wood resting in a Blackthorn bush at Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve, Warwickshire. © 2017 - 2022 Steven Cheshire.
The Speckled Wood is a common species in our region and can be found in woodland, scrub, hedgerows, gardens, anywhere where dappled sunlight and areas of lush grass grow in damper areas. The male will often be seen perched with wings wide open in areas of sunlight, chasing intruders and females which wander by. Both male and female butterflies feed on honeydew in the tree tops, only occsionally being seen feeding on flowers.
The Speckled Wood breeds in woodland habitats, lanes and tracks between tall hedgerows, parks, gardens, and scrub. It seems to prefer slightly damp areas where there is tall grass and some dappled shade.
The larvae of the Speckled Wood feed on False Brome (Brachypodium sylvaticum), Yorkshire-fog (Holcus lanatus), Common Couch (Elytrigia repens) and Cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata).
See maps below. Distribution text required.
Use our online recording system to submit your observations of butterflies and day-flying moths.