Brown, white/cream spots

[RobertC]

Hi

Totally layman butterfly watcher but can recognise most of the common species and have a field guide for those I don't know.

A few days ago saw a butterfly in the garden (Northants) that I didn't recognise and cannot find in my guide.

About the size of a red admiral but basic upper wing surface chocolate brown with circular cream/white spots ranging from 2 to 4mm. Any ideas what it may have been so that I can look up a picture to confirm?

Thanks for any help

[Rogerdodge]

My guess is Speckled Wood.
http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species. ... led%20Wood

Roger

[eccles]

Mmm, chocolate brown...

homerdrool.jpg (3.54 KiB) Viewed 753 times

[RobertC]

Roger

Thanks, that seems to be it.

I don't remember ever seeing this species before and I spend a fair bit of time out doors. Any idea why? Does it, as the name suggests prefer woodland? Of which there is little close by. Also have plenty of Buddlia in the garden specifically to attract butterflies, is this a species that isn't attracted to it?

Regards

Robert

[KeynvorLogosenn]

Mmm, chocolate brown...

homerdrool.jpg

eccles! That made me laugh!

By the way, I normally find my speckled woods near blackberries

Mouse

[Shirley Roulston]

I remember seeing somewhere that the Speckled Wood likes farm gates and implements because it likes the warmth. I have lots of these butterflies around ivy and one thing they like is the herb Marjaram.

Picture 230.jpg (50.8 KiB) Viewed 693 times

Is this what the butterfly looks like what you have seen?

[eccles]

Speckled woods are lovers of shady spots, although paradoxically they will often find a bit of dappled sunlight in which to bask. You will be less likely to see them in open countryside although, as mouse says, you might occasionally find them around bramble and hedgerows. They will also rest high up in trees.

[Denise]

Speckled woods are lovers of shady spots, although paradoxically they will often find a bit of dappled sunlight in which to bask. You will be less likely to see them in open countryside although, as mouse says, you might occasionally find them around bramble and hedgerows. They will also rest high up in trees.

And they love my garden for some reason. The end of my garden is like a woodland's edge or a high hedgerow, so perhaps that's why.
For the first time, this year I have noticed them nectering from flowers other than Hebe (I have a huge white one in the corner, at the bottom of my garden.)

Denise

[RobertC]

Hi

Just want to say thanks for all the responses.

FWIW the one I saw was sunning itself on a paving slab.

Regards

Robert