Post by nomad on Dec 23, 2018 14:49:26 GMT
The common butterfly known as the Speckled Wood, Pararge aegeria shows interesting seasonal forms in Britain. There are three subspecies, Pararge aegeria tircis Godart, 1821, being the most widespread, Pararge aegeria oblita Harrison, 1949, endemic to western Scotland and Islands and Pararge aegeria insula Howarth, 1971, endemic to the Scilly Isles.
The variable P. aegeria tircis can been seen on the wing from March (in warm years February) to November. The first spring brood now usually peaks in April to early May, these have brighter markings than those of the second brood (especially in the males). The stragglers from the spring brood may overlap with the summer brood that in warm years can appear in May, and which appear until September. There is a small autumn brood that resemble the previous emergence and is perhaps only an extension of that. Images are all southern England.
Pararge aegeria tircis.
First Brood (Spring)
1, Female 31/4/2017. 2, Female 21/4/2014. 3, Male. 9/4/2017. 4, Male 4/5/2018. 5, Male 17/4/2018.
Second Brood (Summer).
1, Female 28/8/2016. 2, Female 23/8/2014. 3, Male 27/5/2018. 4, Male 25/8/2017.
The variable P. aegeria tircis can been seen on the wing from March (in warm years February) to November. The first spring brood now usually peaks in April to early May, these have brighter markings than those of the second brood (especially in the males). The stragglers from the spring brood may overlap with the summer brood that in warm years can appear in May, and which appear until September. There is a small autumn brood that resemble the previous emergence and is perhaps only an extension of that. Images are all southern England.
Pararge aegeria tircis.
First Brood (Spring)
1, Female 31/4/2017. 2, Female 21/4/2014. 3, Male. 9/4/2017. 4, Male 4/5/2018. 5, Male 17/4/2018.
Second Brood (Summer).
1, Female 28/8/2016. 2, Female 23/8/2014. 3, Male 27/5/2018. 4, Male 25/8/2017.
