Speckled wood vs Gatekeeper
These two are easy to mix up. Here's how to tell a speckled wood from a gatekeeper, and whether either one bites or stings.
Speckled wood
Pararge aegeria
Gatekeeper
Pyronia tithonus
≠The key differences
Gatekeeper has a single, larger black eyespot with two white pupils on the forewing and more orange background; speckled wood is more uniformly brown with multiple pale patches.
⚖︎Side by side
| Speckled wood | Gatekeeper | |
|---|---|---|
| To humans | Non-toxic | Non-toxic |
| Size | 40-50 mm wingspan | About 3.7-4.8 cm wingspan |
| Colours | Dark brown, Chestnut brown, Cream yellow, Pale tan | Orange-brown, Dark brown, Cream (underside markings), Black (eyespots) |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Nymphalidae |
| Habitat | Woodland edges, shady glades, hedgerows, parks and gardens with trees | Warm, sheltered grassy habitats: hedgerows, field margins, woodland clearings, rides and sunlit meadows |
| Range | Widespread in Europe (including the British Isles), parts of North Africa and western Asia | Widespread across much of Europe (including southern Britain and Ireland), extending to Anatolia and the Caucasus |
| Active | Spring to autumn (multiple broods in warm areas); active during daylight, especially in sunny patches | Mainly July-August, from late June in warmer areas; one brood per year |
| Pest? | No | No |
🔍How to spot a speckled wood
- Brown wings with several pale yellow-cream spots forming a speckled pattern; one small eyespot near the forewing tip and a row of small eyespots on the hindwing.
- Wingspan about 40-50 mm; underside similarly patterned but paler, aiding camouflage on leaf litter.
- Tendency to perch and fly in low, dappled sunlight—look for solitary males defending sunflecks.
🔍How to spot a gatekeeper
- Look for orange wings with broad brown borders and a black forewing eyespot that usually has two white pupils
- Underside of the hindwing brownish with small white dots
- Males show a broad dark scent brand across the middle of the forewing
- Habitat: sitting near hedgerows and grassy edges, often perched on grass stalks or fluttering low
?Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a speckled wood and a gatekeeper?
Gatekeeper has a single, larger black eyespot with two white pupils on the forewing and more orange background; speckled wood is more uniformly brown with multiple pale patches.
Is a speckled wood or a gatekeeper more dangerous?
Speckled wood: Non-toxic. Gatekeeper: Non-toxic. Harmless to people; does not sting or bite. Harmless to people.
Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.