Small Tortoiseshell
Image: Photobits (CC BY 4.0)
Common NameSmall Tortoiseshell
Scientific NameAglais urticae
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyNymphalinae
Wingspan (mm)55
Primary Colorsorange, black, yellow, blue
HabitatGardens, parks, meadows, woodlands, hedgerows, often near nettle patches.
Geographic RangeEurope, temperate Asia, North Africa.
Host PlantsCommon Nettle, Small Nettle
Flight PeriodMarch to October (multiple broods)
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid on nettles, hatching into spiny black caterpillars with yellow stripes. They pupate into a chrysalis, and adults often overwinter.
Identification TipsLook for its bright orange wings with black and yellow patches, especially the row of blue spots on the hindwing margin. The underside is dark and cryptic.
Description
A medium-sized butterfly with vibrant orange wings, featuring black and yellow markings on the forewings and a distinctive row of blue spots along the hindwing margins.
