Regional Species


Small Tortoiseshell
Aglais urticae

Photograph by Janet Graham

Regional Species

There has been concern expressed about the apparent decline of this common butterfly but it may be that this will prove to be no more than a fluctuation and indeed recent trends have been encouraging in this respect. Ordinary farmland should provide suitable habitat so long as Stinging Nettles (Urtica dioica) are tolerated and there is an adequate supply of nectar sources. Fortunately, nettles are resistant to sheep grazing as are several species of thistle which can be used for nectaring. Creeping Thistle (Cirsium arvense) is particularly favoured in this respect but many other flowers are also used both wild and cultivated.

The Small Tortoiseshell overwinters, as an adult, in sheltered places such as outbuildings or hollow trees and can become active on warm days throughout the winter. In North Wales there are two broods each summer with the eggs laid in large batches on the foodplant. The larvae continue to live gregariously and are often conspicuous. When mature they disperse in search of a pupation site.

A familiar butterfly, which is unlikely to be confused with any other species.

Further information available from the NW Lepidoptera Database, including access to detailed records, maps, flight-time charts and photographs.