This marker on the Cambridge Butterfly Trail is at Paradise local nature reserve – see the map above.

This is a charismatic woodland butterfly found throughout Britain, thriving in dappled-light environments like rides, hedgerows, gardens and damp glades.

Adults are frequently seen basking on sunlit patches, patrolling or defending small “territories” in a fascinating display of territorial behaviour. They feed on aphid honeydew dripping from leaves, and only occasionally visit flowers or fruit.

Speckled wood caterpillars thrive on various grasses such as false brome and cock’s‑foot before overwintering either as larvae or pupae, enabling multiple generations between March and October.

Over the past century, they have dramatically expanded northward by over 50% in range and 84% in abundance, likely due to warmer UK climates. This adaptability makes them one of the most successful and familiar butterflies of British semi‑woodland habitats.

For more information, please visit Butterfly Conservation’s page on this species – Speckled wood.