Butterflies of St. Columba's - Speckled Wood

Speckled Wood

Speckled Wood (Pararge argeria)  This dark brown butterfly is most often seen in the lower Deerpark flitting among the oak trees, or sitting on a leaf sunning itself. It does not feed on the nectar in flowers as most butterflies do but on the honeydew secreted by aphids as they suck sap from plants. The lines of black dots, with central white dots, along the outer fringes of its wings make it easy to spot. Its caterpillar is green with light green to cream stripes running the length of its body.