Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)

Family: Nymphalidae Checklist: 59.027

 
Description
Wing span: 50-56 mm. The Small Tortoiseshell is one of the most familiar British butterflies, but it has suffered a significant decline, especially in the south of the country. The reason for this decline is not well understood. The sexes are similar, although the female is larger. It is found throughout the British Isles. A range of habitats is utilised, including meadows, gardens and woodland edges.
 
Images (click to enlarge)
Small Tortoiseshell ♂ © David Hastings
Small Tortoiseshell ♂ underside © David Hastings
Male Male underside Female Female underside
 
Life Cycle
There are two broods each year, with the first emerging in June and July, and the second from August to mid-October. Second brood adults go into hibernation quite quickly, re-emerging in the spring and often surviving well into May.
 
Larval Foodplants
The main larval foodplants are Common Nettle (Urtica diocia) and Small Nettle (Urtica urens).
 
Nectar Sources
Adults are often seen feeding on Buddleia and Sedum in gardens. Thistles, Knapweeds, Ragwort and Teasel are often used in the countryside.
 
UK Conservation Status
Least Concern
 
Earliest UTB first sighting (since 2004) : 11th January
Mean UTB first sighting (since 2004) : 7th February
 
 
Distribution and Sites
 

Key
1 sighting 2-9 max seen 10+ max seen
This species is a habitat generalist, so can be found almost anywhere in the UTB region.

 
Related Species
All Species