Speckled Wood (Tircis)

Habitat: Mainly forest edges and open forests; also gardens and parks in wooded areas.

Appearance: Common and widespread. In central Europe, the subspecies Pararge aegeria tircis occurs, and in southern Europe, the subspecies Pararge aegeria aegeria flies, which has a strong orange pattern instead of a light yellow pattern. The northern limit of the subspecies range is in southern Switzerland, where transitional forms regularly occur. In Belgium and the Netherlands, the Speckled Wood is a common and increasingly frequent butterfly.

Flying time: Three overlapping generations. Late March to late October (November).

Characteristics: Wingspan 32 – 42 mm.

Life cycle: Host plants are tor-grass (Brachypodium pinnatum), Purple moor grass (Molinia caerulea), wood small-reed (Calamagrostis epigejos) and sedge (Carex sylvatica). The female lays her eggs one by one on a blade of grass. The young caterpillars are active during the day, the mature caterpillars at night. Pupation usually takes place close to the ground; the green or brown pupae overwinter, but sometimes the caterpillar overwinters. The butterflies are rarely found on flowers. They feed on sap from bleeding trees or drink on damp forest paths and fallen fruit.