Small Tortoiseshell
Common NameSmall Tortoiseshell
Scientific NameAglais urticae
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyNymphalinae
Wingspan (mm)55
Wing Patternsolid
Primary Colorsorange, black, yellow, blue
HabitatGardens, parks, meadows, woodlands, hedgerows, open country
Geographic RangeEurope, temperate Asia, North Africa
Host PlantsUrtica dioica, Urtica urens
Flight PeriodMarch to October (multiple broods)
Flight Stylegliding
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 brown or green, suspended head-down, with adults emerging after pupation, often overwintering.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its bright orange color, three large black spots on the forewing, a black and yellow costal band, and a row of blue marginal spots. The underside is dark and cryptic. It lacks the 'comma' mark of *Polygonia c-album* and is smaller than the Large Tortoiseshell (*Nymphalis polychloros*).
Description
A medium-sized butterfly with vibrant orange wings, featuring prominent black spots, a black and yellow band along the forewing costa, and a distinctive row of blue crescent-shaped spots along the wing margins.
