(?) Speckled Wood...

[Jason Green]

Hi you WAB'ers!!

I saw this Speckled Wood today and had it accepted into the Gallery () - but now I've noticed a couple of things:

1. The fur covers more of the wings than usual...
2. It seems much darker...
3. The white lower wing markings seem more pronounced.

I may be being too analytical, but is it the sub-species Pararge aegeria tircis or another?


The wings upper surface


The wings underside

Take care,

Jason

[GuyF]

I don't know anything about Speckled Wood sub species, however as an alternative answer I would say that the second generation of Speckled Woods are only just appearing so it could well be that this one that you found is a very fresh, pristine individual which would explain why it's markings are more pronounced.
Guy

[Jason Green]

Yes, that would be possible. It did let me get quite close...

[aeshna5]

Subspecies tircis is the one generally found through most of UK. THe other 2 ssp are insula which is restricted to Isles of Scilly + ssp. oblita which is restricted to western/NW Scotland.

[Jason Green]

Aeshna5 - so the most common one to be found throughout most of the UK IS the ssp. Pararge aegeria tircis, not just Pararge aegeria?

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Aeshna5 - so the most common one to be found throughout most of the UK IS the ssp. Pararge aegeria tircis, not just Pararge aegeria?

The name Pararge aegeria is the species name- it isn't monotypic, so there are various sub-species. Each sub-species is a valid a taxonomic entity as any other.

[Jason Green]

Sorry, I rthought I understood Latin names

So to just say Pararge aegeria is technically incorrect - it should be said as Pararge aegeria + the ssp. type, or have I missunderstood again?

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Sorry, I rthought I understood Latin names

So to just say Pararge aegeria is technically incorrect - it should be said as Pararge aegeria + the ssp. type, or have I missunderstood again?

There is nothing wrong with using Pararge aegeria- that is the species valid name; it is only if you're taking things to a finer taxonomic level. Generally a lot of naturalists just take things to the species level, which is the basic unit of life.

You asked which sub-species so gave that info to you. More credence is being given to races (sub-species) these days, but generally the species level is considered most important.

[Jason Green]

Oh right, thanks!

So to a higher taxonomic level, is the species photographed Pararge aegeria tircis, just Pararge aegeria (if it isn't a sub if this is possible) or another ssp.?

I apologise in advance if I'm wrong again, but I'd like to learn more about sub-species!

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Oh right, thanks!

So to a higher taxonomic level, is the species photographed Pararge aegeria tircis, just Pararge aegeria (if it isn't a sub if this is possible) or another ssp.?

I apologise in advance if I'm wrong again, but I'd like to learn more about sub-species!

If you're looking at Speckled Wood to sub-species, then none will "just be P.aegeria". The nominate form, intially described is Pararge aegeria aegeria,which doesn't occur in UK, but in southern Europe. There are 3 subspecies in UK which I have already listed. On mainland England + much of the UK any Speckled Wood will be P. a. tircis, so will be the form you showed us.