# Speckled Wood (*Pararge aegeria*) The Speckled Wood is a charming butterfly with brown wings and lovely spots. It enjoys sunny spots in the woods! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 7 - **Habitat:** Woodlands and gardens - **Also known as:** Speckled Wood Butterfly, Wood Butterfly ![Speckled Wood](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426549/objects/5480.jpg) ## Appearance The Speckled Wood has dark brown wings with striking creamy-yellow to orange-brown 'eyespots' ringed in black, creating a dappled effect. Its underside often shows more intricate patterns. This camouflage helps it blend into shaded woodlands. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Pararge ## Interesting facts - Speckled Wood males battle for sunlit patches to find mates! - Their caterpillars are bright green, perfectly camouflaged on grass! - They can hatch two or even three generations in one summer! - Unlike most butterflies, adults prefer tree sap to flower nectar! ## Special abilities - **Shady Blending:** Speckled Wood has dappled brown and yellow patterns that help them disappear into forest shadows. - **Solar Power-Up:** Speckled Wood can quickly warm its body by basking in sunbeams to prepare for flight. - **False Eyes:** Speckled Wood has 'eyespots' on its wings that can confuse predators, protecting its vital body parts. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 40-52 mm - **Size:** 18-25 mm - **Lifespan:** 14-21 days - **Flight Speed:** 12 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults mainly drink sweet tree sap, while caterpillars munch on fresh green grasses. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat grasses, while adults primarily feed on tree sap and honeydew, occasionally nectar. - **Primary Foods:** tree sap, honeydew, grasses, nectar - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [European Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-robin) (*Erithacus rubecula*) — Adult butterflies can be prey for small birds. - **Eaten by:** Garden Cross Spider (*Araneus diadematus*) — Spiders often catch Speckled Woods in their webs. - **Eats:** [Annual Meadow-grass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annual-meadow-grass) (*Poa annua*) — Caterpillars feed on the leaves of various grasses. - **Eats:** Common Oak (*Quercus robur*) — Adults feed on sweet sap that seeps from tree trunks. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Web Builder](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/web-builder): This trait characterizes organisms that construct elaborate silken webs for catching prey, shelter, or reproduction. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Speckled Wood? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Speckled Wood's wingspan? 40-52 mm ### How big is Speckled Wood? 18-25 mm ### How long does Speckled Wood live? 14-21 days ### How fast can Speckled Wood fly? 12 km/h ### What does Speckled Wood eat? Adults mainly drink sweet tree sap, while caterpillars munch on fresh green grasses. ### Where is Speckled Wood usually found? Woodlands and gardens ### How does Speckled Wood hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Lesní koutek Ralsko - Mini ZOO](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lesn-koutek-ralsko-mini-zoo) — Liberec Region, CZ · Zoo - [Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/wales-ape-and-monkey-sanctuary) — Wales, GB · Zoo - [Skandinavisk Dyrepark](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/skandinavisk-dyrepark) — Central Denmark Region, DK · Zoo - [Zoo de Lunaret](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-de-lunaret) — Occitania, FR · Zoo - [Picos de Europa National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/picos-de-europa-national-park) — Spain, ES · National Park - [Alameda Wildlife Conservation Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alameda-wildlife-conservation-park) — Gibraltar, GI · Zoo [View all places to see Speckled Wood](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/speckled-wood) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Speckled Wood: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/speckled-wood)