Speckled Wood
Pararge aegeria
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The Speckled Wood colonised the Sefton Coast in the mid-1980s and is now the characteristic butterfly of the Formby pinewoods. Males hold territories in sunflecks on the forest floor, spiralling upward in aerial combat with rival males. The dappled brown and cream pattern mimics the play of light through leaves. It flies from April to October — one of the longest seasons of any UK butterfly — and can overwinter as either a caterpillar or a pupa. In the Formby pinewoods, they're present on almost any warm, sunny day.
At a Glance
| Order | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae |
| Habitat | Woodland edge · Shaded dune scrub · Pinewood rides · Hedgerow shade |
| Diet | Adults: honeydew from aphids and occasional flowers. Larvae: various grasses. |
| UK population | Widespread and increasing; expanding northward |
| Sefton Coast | Well-established throughout the Sefton Coast woodlands since the 1980s; one of the most common woodland butterflies |
| Conservation | UK Green List |
Where to See It
Formby pinewoods and any shaded woodland edge on the Sefton Coast. Males hold territories in sunny patches.
Identification
Brown with pale cream spots and three white-centred eye spots near the wingtip. Dappled pattern matches woodland light perfectly. Males territorial in sunny patches — spiralling fights.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Walk the Formby pinewoods on any warm day from April onwards. Males are obvious in sunlit patches between the trees. The spiralling combat flights are dramatic to watch.
Conservation Status
UK Green List
This species has a favourable conservation status in the UK and remains an important part of Sefton Coast biodiversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do male Speckled Wood butterflies choose their territories?
Males hold territories in patches of sunlight on the woodland floor — premium spots for attracting females who pass through. When two males meet over the same sunspot, they spiral upward in an aerial fight, sometimes for minutes. The resident usually wins. Males without a sunspot territory will challenge established males repeatedly.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.