Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)

Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae (Linnaeus, 1758))

Scientific name: Aglais urticae (Linnaeus, 1758)
Common name: Small Tortoiseshell
French name: Petite tortue
Order: Lepidoptera
Suborder: Rhopalocera
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Nymphalinae
Wingspan: 40-50 mm
Biotope: Very common in the gardens.
Geographic area: Europe
Flight time: March April, June to October
Number of generations : 1 or 2
Caterpillar: Black with yellowish dorsal spines and clear marks on the sides. It can often be seen in groups.
Host plant: Nettle (Urtica).

The wings of the Small Tortoiseshell are tawny red with yellow and black joined blotches, and a series of small blue spots close to the sides.
The underside of the wings is dark-brown to light brown, allowing an efficient camouflage when the wings are joined.
Both sexes are similar.
The Small Tortoiseshell is a migratory butterfly, it easily moves and often over-winters inside buildings.

Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) - Saône-et-Loire, France - May 29th 2014

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The beautiful spring sun illuminates the bright colours of the Small Tortoiseshell.

Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) - Saône-et-Loire, France - May 26th 2007

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Small Tortoiseshell landed on a Lime tree.

Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) - Yvelines, France - July 26th 2005

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I have often read that Small Tortoiseshell were very common in the gardens.
But I have only seen very few of them in my garden, attracted to the butterfly tree (Budledja).

Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) - Yvelines, France - June 18th 2006

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With the sunshine, you can see the bright colours of the Small Tortoiseshell.

Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) - Savoie, France - August 23rd 2006

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Here is my altitude record for the observation of a butterfly.
I have shot this picture of a Small Tortoiseshell at the Col du Soufre (2819m) in the Alps.
Some Alpine Hawkweeds (Hieracium alpinum) were growing here and there on the rocky slopes.
About half of them were having a Small Tortoiseshell landed on, gathering nectar.

Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) - Yvelines, France - July 29th 2006

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