A medium-sized butterfly, the Speckled Wood is on the wing in two or three broods, between the end of March and the end of October. It is a common and widespread butterfly of woodland edges and rides, where it flies in the dappled sunlight, and can also be seen in hedgerows and gardens. Adults feed on honeydew while the caterpillars feed on a variety of grasses including False Broom and Cock's-foot.
The Speckled Wood has made a comeback during recent times and is now widespread in woodlands and even gardens. The Wildlife Trusts manage many woodland nature reserves for the benefit of butterflies: a mix of coppicing, scrub-cutting, ride maintenance and non-intervention all help woodland wildlife to thrive. You can help too: volunteer for your local Wildlife Trust and you could be involved in everything from traditional forest crafts to surveying for butterflies.