Small Tortoiseshell
Image: Silkfield (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Common NameSmall Tortoiseshell
Scientific NameAglais urticae
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyNymphalinae
Wingspan (mm)55
Primary Colorsorange, black, yellow, blue
HabitatGardens, parks, meadows, woodlands, hedgerows, and urban areas
Geographic RangeWidespread across temperate Eurasia, from Europe to Japan, and also found in North Africa
Host Plantsstinging nettle, hop
Flight PeriodMarch to October
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid in batches on the underside of nettle leaves. The larvae are spiny, black caterpillars with yellow stripes, which feed gregariously. Pupation occurs on the host plant or nearby vegetation, resulting in a chrysalis that can be green or brown.
Identification TipsKey features include the bright orange-red upperwings with three large black spots on the forewing costa, yellow patches, and the row of blue marginal spots on the hindwings. The underside is cryptically dark brown.
Description
A medium-sized butterfly characterized by its vibrant orange-red wings, marked with prominent black and yellow patches on the forewings, and a distinctive row of iridescent blue spots along the scalloped outer edge of the hindwings.
