Speckled wood (butterfly)

Speckled wood
Male P. a. tircis
Male underside
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Pararge
Species:
P. aegeria
Binomial name
Pararge aegeria

The speckled wood (Pararge aegeria) is a butterfly found in and on the borders of woodland areas throughout much of the Palearctic realm.[1] The species is subdivided into multiple subspecies, including Pararge aegeria aegeria,[1] Pararge aegeria tircis, Pararge aegeria oblita, and Pararge aegeria insula.[2] The color of this butterfly varies between subspecies. The existence of these subspecies is due to variation in morphology down a gradient corresponding to a geographic cline.[3] The background of the wings ranges from brown to orange, and the spots are either pale yellow, white, cream, or a tawny orange. The speckled wood feeds on a variety of grass species.[2] The males of this species exhibit two types of mate locating behaviors: territorial defense and patrolling.[4] The proportion of males exhibiting these two strategies changes based on ecological conditions.[4][5] The monandrous female must choose which type of male can help her reproduce successfully. Her decision is heavily influenced by environmental conditions.[6]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference WWN was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Riley was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Van Dyck 2011 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Shreeve 1987 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Wickman 1983 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference Gotthard was invoked but never defined (see the help page).