Small Tortoiseshell
Image: Cornelis Kick (Public domain)
Common NameSmall Tortoiseshell
Scientific NameAglais urticae
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyNymphalinae
Wingspan (mm)55
Primary Colorsorange, black, yellow, blue
HabitatGardens, parks, meadows, woodlands, hedgerows, urban areas
Geographic RangeEurope, temperate Asia, North Africa
Host Plantscommon nettle (Urtica dioica)
Flight PeriodMarch to October
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid in clusters on nettle leaves. Larvae are spiny, black with yellow stripes, and feed communally. Pupae are typically green or brown, hanging upside down.
Identification TipsLook for the bright orange wings with three large black spots on the forewing's leading edge, a yellow patch near the costa, and a line of blue spots along the outer edge of both forewings and hindwings.
Description
A medium-sized butterfly with vibrant orange wings, characterized by distinct black and yellow patches on the forewings and a row of blue crescent-shaped spots along the wing margins.
