Pararge aegeria -
Speckled Wood. 32-42mm. The range of this species extends from
northern Africa throughout Europe to central Asia. It inhabits open deciduous
woods, and oak and beech forests. In the mountains it never occurs above
the upper limit of deciduous forest, i.e. approximately 1000m. Annually
there are usually two generations of this butterfly: the first flies very
early in spring, from March to May, the second from July to September.
The species is given to great variation, and forms several distinct geographical
races. The nominate ssp. aegeria L., with an orange ground colour to its
wings, lives in southern Europe and northern Africa. Central Europe is
inhabited by ssp. tircis Btl., known also under the synonym egerides Stgr.,
whose wings have a light ground colour. The caterpillar lives in summer
and in autumn on couch and other grasses. In Europe it is evidently the
chrysalis that hibernates.
Text from: A field Guide in
Colour to Butterflies and Moths (1982) Ivo Novak. Octopus
