Butterfly

Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)

Download full size image The Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) is a charming butterfly species belonging to the family Nymphalidae, known for its striking appearance and widespread distribution across Europe and parts of Asia. Here's a detailed description: Physical Characteristics: The Small Tortoiseshell butterfly is of medium size, with a wingspan typically ranging from 45 to 55 millimeters. It displays a distinctive pattern of bright orange wings bordered by a black band with white spots. The forewings also feature a row of blue crescents near the outer edge, while the hindwings have a series of blue spots and a border of black and yellow. The undersides of the wings are mottled brown, providing effective camouflage when the butterfly is at rest. Habitat and Distribution: Small Tortoiseshell butterflies are commonly found in a variety of habitats, including meadows, grasslands, woodlands, gardens, and urban areas. They are distributed across much of Europe, including the British Isles, Scandinavia, and the Mediterranean region, as well as parts of Asia, such as Siberia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. They are particularly abundant in temperate regions with diverse plant species. Behavior and Life Cycle: Small Tortoiseshell butterflies are diurnal and active during the warmer months of the year, especially in spring and summer. They are strong and agile flyers, often seen fluttering among flowers in search of nectar and mates. The females lay eggs singly on the leaves of stinging nettles (Urtica spp.), which serve as the primary larval host plant. The caterpillars hatch from the eggs and feed on the leaves of the host plants before pupating and emerging as adult butterflies. Conservation Status: The Small Tortoiseshell is not considered globally threatened and is generally common and widespread throughout its range. However, like many butterfly species, it may face localized threats due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation caused by agricultural intensification, urbanization, and climate change. Conservation efforts focused on preserving and restoring habitats, protecting larval host plants, and minimizing human disturbance are crucial for ensuring the long-term survival of this iconic butterfly species. Overall, the Small Tortoiseshell butterfly is a beautiful and ecologically important species, valued for its striking appearance, graceful flight, and role in pollination and ecosystem functioning. Its presence adds vibrancy and vitality to natural landscapes and serves as a symbol of the rich biodiversity of the regions where it is found.
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Here’s a detailed overview of the Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) — one of Europe’s most familiar and beloved butterflies:

🦋 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)

🔹 Taxonomy

  • Family: Nymphalidae (Brush-footed butterflies)
  • Genus: Aglais
  • Species: Aglais urticae
  • Authority: (Linnaeus, 1758)

🔹 Identification

  • Wingspan: 45–62 mm
  • Upper side:
    • Bright orange forewings with black and yellow patches
    • Three black spots and a bold black margin
    • Blue crescent-shaped markings along wing edges
  • Hindwings: More uniform orange with black and blue border
  • Underside: Cryptic mottled brown and grey—provides camouflage when resting

🔹 Distribution

  • Range: Widespread across Europe, temperate Asia, and parts of China and Japan
  • Present from the British Isles and Scandinavia down to Turkey and as far east as Mongolia

🔹 Habitat

  • Versatile and adaptive:
    • Meadows, gardens, hedgerows, open woodland, parks, roadsides
    • Found from sea level to alpine zones

🔹 Life Cycle

  • Broods: Typically 2–3 generations per year (especially in southern Europe)
  • Flight period: March to October (overwinters as adults)

🐛 Eggs

  • Laid in clusters on the underside of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) leaves

🐛 Larva (Caterpillar)

  • Black with yellow stripes and spines
  • Gregarious in early instars
  • Feed exclusively on nettle

🐛 Pupa (Chrysalis)

  • Mottled brown/gold
  • Usually attached to nearby vegetation

🦋 Adult

  • Feeds on nectar-rich flowers like buddleia, thistles, clover, dandelion
  • Will enter hibernation in sheds, wood piles, tree hollows, or attics
See also  Lesser marbled fritillary (Brenthis ino)

🔹 Behavior

  • Territorial: Males guard sunlit patches
  • Basking: Often seen sunbathing to warm up
  • Migratory/local dispersal: In early spring, adults emerge from hibernation and disperse to lay eggs

🔹 Conservation Status

  • IUCN Red List: Least Concern
  • Declines noted in some regions (especially UK) due to:
    • Habitat loss
    • Pesticide use
    • Climate change
    • Parasites like tachinid flies

🔹 Similar Species

  • Peacock (Aglais io) – larger, with striking eyespots
  • Comma (Polygonia c-album) – more ragged wings, paler orange
  • Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) – lacks blue border and has pinkish tones

🔹 Cultural Significance

  • Seen as a symbol of summer and rural beauty
  • Popular subject in art, photography, and butterfly conservation education
  • Its early emergence makes it a sign of spring in Northern Europe

📸 Fun Fact

In sunny weather, Small Tortoiseshells can be seen engaging in aerial dogfights, spiraling rapidly upwards in what appears to be courtship or territorial defense.

common-blue-7751398_1920 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)
2919-scaled Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
Common tiger (Danaus genutia)
nature-9578909_1920 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
Orange Tip Butterfly (Anthocharis cardamines)
comma-6316305_1920 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
Comma butterfly (Polygonia c-album)
monarch-butterfly-9092620_1920 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon)
2949 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
Orange gull (Cepora judith)
3135 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
Green hairstreak (Callophrys rubi)
insect-7391094_1920 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
Common copper (Lycaena phlaeas)
butterfly-8298396_1920 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
Mazarine Blue (Cyaniris semiargus)
butterfly-6581905_1920 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
Blue glassy tiger (Ideopsis similis)
scarce-swallowtail-4852821_1920 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius)
2741 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
Download full size image The Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) is a charming butterfly species belonging to the family Nymphalidae, known for its striking appearance and widespread distribution across Europe and parts of Asia. Here's a detailed description: Physical Characteristics: The Small Tortoiseshell butterfly is of medium size, with a wingspan typically ranging from 45 to 55 millimeters. It displays a distinctive pattern of bright orange wings bordered by a black band with white spots. The forewings also feature a row of blue crescents near the outer edge, while the hindwings have a series of blue spots and a border of black and yellow. The undersides of the wings are mottled brown, providing effective camouflage when the butterfly is at rest. Habitat and Distribution: Small Tortoiseshell butterflies are commonly found in a variety of habitats, including meadows, grasslands, woodlands, gardens, and urban areas. They are distributed across much of Europe, including the British Isles, Scandinavia, and the Mediterranean region, as well as parts of Asia, such as Siberia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. They are particularly abundant in temperate regions with diverse plant species. Behavior and Life Cycle: Small Tortoiseshell butterflies are diurnal and active during the warmer months of the year, especially in spring and summer. They are strong and agile flyers, often seen fluttering among flowers in search of nectar and mates. The females lay eggs singly on the leaves of stinging nettles (Urtica spp.), which serve as the primary larval host plant. The caterpillars hatch from the eggs and feed on the leaves of the host plants before pupating and emerging as adult butterflies. Conservation Status: The Small Tortoiseshell is not considered globally threatened and is generally common and widespread throughout its range. However, like many butterfly species, it may face localized threats due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation caused by agricultural intensification, urbanization, and climate change. Conservation efforts focused on preserving and restoring habitats, protecting larval host plants, and minimizing human disturbance are crucial for ensuring the long-term survival of this iconic butterfly species. Overall, the Small Tortoiseshell butterfly is a beautiful and ecologically important species, valued for its striking appearance, graceful flight, and role in pollination and ecosystem functioning. Its presence adds vibrancy and vitality to natural landscapes and serves as a symbol of the rich biodiversity of the regions where it is found.
common-blue-4822433_1920 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)
6749 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)
6751 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
False heath fritillary (Melitaea diamina)
6755 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)
6754 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
Northern chequered skipper (Carterocephalus silvicola)
6762 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
Mazarine Blue (Cyaniris semiargus)
2731 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
Chestnut heath (Coenonympha glycerion)
3071 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
Lesser marbled fritillary (Brenthis ino)
103 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
Common tiger (Danaus genutia)
1778 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
European peacock (Inachis io)
6757 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
Green hairstreak (Callophrys rubi)
julia-heliconian-4882737_1920 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
Julia Heliconian (Dryas iulia)
6771 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
Mazarine Blue (Cyaniris semiargus)
common-blue-4822435_1920 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)
common-blue-4822433_1920-1 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)
scarce-swallowtail-7698470_1920 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius)
nature-9614574_1920 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon)
common-blue-4825447_1920 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)
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