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Milbert's Tortoiseshell

Aglais milberti

Milbert's Tortoiseshell is a beautiful butterfly with orange and black wings. It loves to flutter around gardens and fields, bringing joy to everyone who sees it!

Habitat: Fields and gardens

Appearance

The Milbert's Tortoiseshell has dark, chocolatey-brown upperwings with a striking bright orange or yellow band across the middle. This band is bordered by black, and the outer wing edges feature a row of tiny blue spots. Its mottled brown underside helps it blend in with tree bark or dead leaves.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyNymphalidaeGenusAglais
Milbert's Tortoiseshell
solitary trait badgecolorful trait badgegrassland trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Milbert's Tortoiseshell

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

5

Interesting facts

Adults sometimes drink minerals from damp soil puddles, a behavior called 'puddling'!

Its larvae, called caterpillars, munch only on stinging nettle plants!

The Milbert's Tortoiseshell is one of only two species in its genus in North America!

These tough butterflies can sometimes be seen flying when snow is still on the ground!

Special abilities

Ability

Winter Sleeper

Milbert's Tortoiseshell can survive cold winters by hibernating in sheltered spots, allowing them to emerge early in spring.

Ability

Leaf Mimic

Milbert's Tortoiseshell has mottled brown undersides that help them blend perfectly with tree bark or dead leaves when their wings are closed.

Ability

Nectar Sipper

Milbert's Tortoiseshell can drink nectar from flowers using its long proboscis, providing essential energy for flight and reproduction.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
45-63 mm
Size
16-28 mm
Lifespan
90-240 days
Flight Speed
15 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Adult Milbert's Tortoiseshells sip sweet nectar, while their caterpillars chomp on stinging nettle leaves!

Age differences: Caterpillars eat nettle leaves; adults drink nectar and sap.

Primary Foods

  • Flower nectar
  • Stinging nettle leaves
  • Tree sap

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

American Robin

Turdus migratorius

Often prey upon adult butterflies and caterpillars.

pollinates

Canada Thistle

Cirsium arvense

Adults visit flowers, transferring pollen as they feed on nectar.

eats

Stinging Nettle

Urtica dioica

Caterpillars feed exclusively on the leaves of this plant.

Traits

Also known as

Milbert's Butterfly

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Butterflies are friendly and safe to watch, but don't try to catch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Milbert's Tortoiseshell?

The easiest way to identify Milbert's Tortoiseshell is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

What is Milbert's Tortoiseshell's wingspan?

45-63 mm

How big is Milbert's Tortoiseshell?

16-28 mm

How long does Milbert's Tortoiseshell live?

90-240 days

How fast can Milbert's Tortoiseshell fly?

15 km/h

What does Milbert's Tortoiseshell eat?

Adult Milbert's Tortoiseshells sip sweet nectar, while their caterpillars chomp on stinging nettle leaves!

Where is Milbert's Tortoiseshell usually found?

Fields and gardens

How does Milbert's Tortoiseshell hunt?

Foraging

Snap Map

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