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Speckled Wood query
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2019 11:41 pm
by Rivoldini
It's winter and we are getting bored. Could anybody kindly advise me whether this Speckled Wood, photographed at Gateshead in August is an aberration?
I have done a search on the internet and nothing found but it is certainly different from the type form.
Thank you
Ron
Re: Speckled Wood query
Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2019 7:44 am
by CallumMac
Speckled Wood is an extremely variable species between regions, as illustrated by the three photos below, all of which show a fairly 'typical' form in the location seen! I don't think it's entirely clear whether this is genetically controlled or possibly a response to local environmental conditions - but for various reasons I would lean towards the latter being more likely.
Your photo shows something that is well within the range of forms seen within the UK, so I don't think it's likely to be an aberration. However if it's substantially different from the usual forms in the area, then perhaps it either somehow developed in an unusually warm/cold/dry/damp/etc. setting, or it's a long-distance immigrant from another region.
![IMG_3759.CR2.jpg (2.68 MiB) Viewed 914 times Shipton Bellinger (Hants)](./files/thumb_15783_ff24d399f229a0ff5a8fbb5439832c00)
- Shipton Bellinger (Hants)
![IMG_4629.JPG (3.07 MiB) Viewed 914 times Walmgate Stray (York)](./files/thumb_15783_fef977cd87d91afbc15efe9afab28c35)
- Walmgate Stray (York)
![IMG_2736.CR2.jpg (4.34 MiB) Viewed 914 times Glasdrum Wood (Argyll)](./files/thumb_15783_9fb826f1d43aa3a054d3d40a023e93f1)
- Glasdrum Wood (Argyll)
Re: Speckled Wood query
Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2019 7:43 pm
by Rivoldini
Dear Callum, thank you very much for the prompt and thorough response. I have got the message now.
The pattern is unusual for this area but it was also the pearl colouring to the spots that made me think it was an aberration.
Thank you again and take care,
Ron
Re: Speckled Wood query
Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2019 9:05 pm
by David M
I see quite a few of these weakly marked forms in my area. They appear to be more numerous in the second brood.
Re: Speckled Wood query
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2019 4:26 pm
by Rivoldini
Thank you David, Mine was a second brood specimen. I'll keep an eye on them this year.
Ron