# 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! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 5 - **Habitat:** Fields and gardens - **Also known as:** Milbert's Butterfly ![Milbert's Tortoiseshell](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Aglais_milberti1.jpg&width=800) Photo: JerryFriedman, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aglais_milberti1.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Aglais ## 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 - **Winter Sleeper:** Milbert's Tortoiseshell can survive cold winters by hibernating in sheltered spots, allowing them to emerge early in spring. - **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. - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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 - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## 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? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## Where to spot - [Great Northern Railway Buildings](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/great-northern-railway-buildings) — Montana, US · Historic Site - [Murie Ranch Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/murie-ranch-historic-district) — Wyoming, US · Historic District - [Telluride Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/telluride-historic-district) — Colorado, US · Historic District - [Sioux County Courthouse](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sioux-county-courthouse) — Nebraska, US · Historic Site - [Kootenay Lake Provincial Park - Midge Creek Site](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kootenay-lake-provincial-park-midge-creek-site) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Stagleap Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/stagleap-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see Milbert's Tortoiseshell](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/milberts-tortoiseshell) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Milbert's Tortoiseshell: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/milberts-tortoiseshell)