Speckled Wood Butterfly (Pararge Aegeria)

Location: Otterbourne Quarry, Hampshire, UK Date Taken: 21/09/05

A common woodland butterfly I often see along a shaded footpath along side the river Itchen in Winchester. And in shaded forests, preferring only a very small sunny clearing, it will investigate anything that passes through its territory, me my dog other insects, I always have to stop and watch this interesting butterfly.
The Caterpillar feeds on a variety of food plants, especially Cock'foot,
it is the only species of butterfly in the UK that can over winter as a caterpillar or a pupae, depending on weather conditions and locations, and can be up to 3 generations a year.