Urban

Welcome to Urban Butterfly Garden

Urban Gardens could play an important role in Butterfly Conservation

Gardens can play an important role in increasing the population and spread of some of our native and migrant butterfly species.

We are encouraged to use far less chemicals in the garden, and switch to more organic methods, like composting, and the use of natural fertilizers for our plants and vegetables, these changes can help to create a safer environment for us and our wildlife.

Orange-tip Butterflies may be seen in gardens from early Spring

These planted areas create what is known as a Green Corridor, allowing the movement of butterflies and other insects and wildlife through urban environments.

There are wildlife friendly plants and seed kits available to create a butterfly garden, and give things a great start.

Peacock Butterflies seen in Gardens Spring and Mid Summer

How…

Setting aside an area of the garden how ever big or small, for a selection of easy maintenance Flowers, or Shrubs, like Buddleia, Wild Marjoram (oregano), some Meadow Grasses maybe a few Nettles, will encourage butterflies and moths as well as other beneficial insects like Ladybirds and Hoverflies into the garden.

Common Blue Butterfly (Polyommatus icarus)

Speckled Wood Butterfly (Pararge aegeria)

about

The Speckled Wood is a dark brown butterfly with light yellow/cream markings and white dotted black eye-spots, often seen in woodland, along hedgerows and in urban parks and gardens, they are widespread and most commonly seen across Southern England, although they can be found in more northern areas.

The Speckled Wood is double brooded, with the first emerging around April – June and the second from July – September. The adult butterflies can often be seen around trees such as Ash, Oak and Hazel where they feed on honeydew from aphids.

Speckled Wood Butterfly - Urban Butterfly Garden

Information

Name: Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria)
Wingspan approx– 45mm
Upper Wings – dark brown with light yellow/cream coloured markings and white dotted, black eye-spots.
Under Wings – dark brown with cream markings on wing tips.
Adult Nectar Plant: Ash, Oak, Hazel (aphid honeydew), Bramble, Fleabane, Ragwort, Trefoils, Coneflowers, Yellow Buddleia.
Habitat – Woodland, Hedgerows, urban Parks and Gardens.
Caterpillars feed on grasses:- Common Couch (Elytrigia repens), Cock’s-foot (Dactylis glomerata), False Brome (Brachypodium sylvaticum), Yorkshire-fog (Holcus lanatus).
Photographs taken 10th – 13th August

Speckled Wood Butterfly (Pararge aegeria) male resting on ground in sunshine

The male butterflies are very territorial, they will quickly chase off any rival males, the chase often involves both butterflies spiralling round and round way up into the tree tops.

On warm days the Speckled Wood Butterfly can often be seen sunbathing, sometimes choosing a open position, although as the day warms up it much prefers dappled sunlight. They will often sit low down on foliage in woodland, at the base of a hedgerow, or on a bare patch of ground, and will take flight at the slightest noise or disturbance.

During the latter part of summer Speckled Wood may be seen on Bramble, Ragwort or Fleabane, busily nectaring, building up reserves for winter Hibernation, it may also visit the gardens tempted by Sweet William, Yellow Buddleia and Coneflowers like Rudbeckia and Echinacea.

Speckled Wood Butterfly on Rudbeckia, Coneflower