Small Tortoiseshell

Distribution: Eurasia; It has been spotted in New York

Size Length: 5 to 6 cm wingspan

Life expectancy: Up to 8 months

Diet: Herbivorous

Number of eggs: Around 80 to 100

IUCN red list status: Not evaluated



Small tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) has a pattern of orange, yellow, black markings, a small white spot on the extremities and also a blue spots border on margins on the upper surface of the wings. The caterpillars (larvae) are black and yellow and the eggs hatch 12 days after the laying that is made on stinging nettle (Urtica sp.) leaves. After the hatching, the caterpillars produce a community silk “shelter” on the leaves of the stinging nettle where the hatchlings live and while they grow up they start living in smaller groups until they become solitaire before pupping. Adults leave the pupae after around 2 weeks.

As larvae, they eat mostly leaves of common nettle (Urtica dioica) and small nettle (U. urens) will the adults feed principally on nectar so they have fat reservoirs that they use to hibernate on winter.

Females and males do not have differences that are easily spotted although they have a nuptial ritual. Males wait for passing females and when a female flies by he intercepts her and chases the female until she stops on the ground. In the case that the female is receptive, she will open her wings. In case any male appears to interfere the resident male will ignore the female to expel the new male.