| Actual Image
Speckled Wood (58)
boreocypriensis
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5079 W: 178 N: 12323]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif) (33611) | Pararge aegeria (Speckled Wood) [in Turk. Karanlık Orman Esmeri]
I observed this butterfly firstly during our Mediterranean trip in Kırıkhan (Hatay Province), then i also observed and captured this common but local beauty both in Yedigöller (Bolu Province) and Salıpazarı (Samsun province). I also attached a WS showing its uppersides of the wings.
TFL and Have a nice WE!
Cheers,
©Bayram GÖÇMEN, Ege University, Faculty of Science. All Rights Reserved.
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Speckled Wood (SW) is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of 35-45 mm. The upperside ground colour of the male is brown. On the forewing there are extensive orange-yellow markings that form a characteristic pattern. There is also an ocellus at the apex and a brown line of androconia along the length of the cell. On the hindwing there is an orange postdiscal band that contains three ocelli. The underside ground colour is grey-yellow. On the forewing there is a yellow and orange pattern with an apical ocellus. On the hindwing there are white spots with a brown surround in the postdiscal area and mauve-brown highlights along the outer margin. The female is very similar to the male. The androconia are absent from the cell on the forewing upperside and the ground colour has a stronger yellow hue.
The range of Speckled Wood (SW) includes almost all of Europe and northwest Africa, extending through Turkey and the Middle East –including Cyprus Island- to the Caucasus and Ural mountains. The adult butterflies start to emerge as early as February (sometimes January) and ore on the wing until November in at least three broods. Overwinters as a pupa. The larval host-plants are species of the Poaceae family. It prefers perennial grasses that thrive in damp localities, such as Brachypodium pinnatum (Chalk False-brome).
SW is a common but local butterfly, with a distribution mainly in the semi-mountainous and mountain areas. Recorded in forests, maquis, agricultural land and river valleys, from sea level to 1750 m. Frequents shady locations, mainly close to springs or running water. The adult butterflies feed from the flowers of Rubus sanctus (Blackberry). The males rest with their wings open in small patches of sunlight that filter through the dense foliage. The males are territorial and chase other male intruders away from their area while they wait for a passing female with which to mate.
References:
1. Makris, C. (2003). Butterflies of Cyprus. Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation. 329 pp.
2. Baytaş, A. (2008). Türkiye’nin Kelebekleri Doğa Rehberi. NTV yayınları, Doğuş Grubu İletişim Yayıncılık ve Ticaret A.Ş., Istanbul, 222 s.
3. Tolman, T.(2008).Collins Butterfly Guide of Britain and Europe. HarperCollins Publishers Ltd., London,. 384 pp. |
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