Small Tortoiseshell
Image: Wenceslaus Hollar (Public domain)
Common NameSmall Tortoiseshell
Scientific NameAglais urticae
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyNymphalinae
Wingspan (mm)55
Primary Colorsorange, black, yellow, blue
HabitatGardens, meadows, woodlands, parks, hedgerows
Geographic RangeEurope, temperate Asia, North Africa
Host PlantsUrtica dioica, Urtica urens
Flight PeriodMarch to October (multiple broods)
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid in batches on nettle leaves. Larvae are spiny, black with yellow stripes, and feed communally. Pupae are typically green or brown and camouflaged, with adults emerging to feed and often overwinter.
Identification TipsLook for the combination of orange-red wings with three large black spots on the forewing leading edge, yellow patches, and a row of blue spots on the dark outer margins. The scalloped wing shape is also a key feature.
Description
A medium-sized butterfly with vibrant orange-red wings, marked with prominent black and yellow patches on the forewings, and a distinctive row of blue spots along the dark outer margins. The wing edges are distinctly scalloped.
