# Small Tortoiseshell (*Aglais urticae*) The Small Tortoiseshell is a colorful butterfly with orange and black patterns. It's a friendly visitor in gardens and parks! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Gardens and woodlands - **Also known as:** Nettle Butterfly ![Small Tortoiseshell](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426281/objects/5475.jpg) ## Appearance The Small Tortoiseshell has vibrant orange wings with distinctive black, yellow, and white markings near the leading edge. A row of iridescent blue spots adorns the outer margins of its jagged-edged wings, making it easily recognizable. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Aglais ## Interesting facts - Male Small Tortoiseshells have scent scales on their wings to attract females! - Sometimes, millions of these butterflies migrate across Europe in spectacular swarms! - These butterflies taste their food with special sensors located on their feet! - They are one of the first butterflies to emerge in spring after winter hibernation! ## Special abilities - **Winter Snooze:** Small Tortoiseshells can hibernate as adults during cold winter months, allowing them to survive harsh conditions and emerge early. - **Nettle Power:** Small Tortoiseshell caterpillars can eat stinging nettles because they have adapted to consume the plant's leaves without harm. - **Warning Colours:** Small Tortoiseshells have bright orange and black patterns that serve as a warning to predators, telling them 'don't eat me!' ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 45-62 mm - **Size:** 20-25 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-300 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adult butterflies sip nectar from various flowers, while caterpillars munch on stinging nettles. - **Age differences:** Caterpillars exclusively eat stinging nettles, while adults consume nectar from a variety of flowering plants. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Urtica dioica, Buddleja davidii, Taraxacum officinale - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** Stinging Nettle (*Urtica dioica*) — The sole food source for Small Tortoiseshell caterpillars. - **Pollinates:** [Butterfly Bush](https://www.snappit.app/explore/butterfly-bush) (*Buddleja davidii*) — Adult butterflies visit its flowers for nectar, aiding pollination. - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Birds like this commonly prey on adult butterflies and caterpillars. - **Parasitizes:** Tachinid Fly (*Phryxe vulgaris*) — The fly's larvae parasitize and develop inside Small Tortoiseshell caterpillars. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Hibernating](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/hibernating): Hibernating animals enter a state of metabolic depression during cold periods or when food is scarce, characterized by reduced body temperature and activity. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [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) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Small 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 Small Tortoiseshell's wingspan? 45-62 mm ### How big is Small Tortoiseshell? 20-25 mm ### How long does Small Tortoiseshell live? 30-300 days ### How fast can Small Tortoiseshell fly? 15 km/h ### What does Small Tortoiseshell eat? Adult butterflies sip nectar from various flowers, while caterpillars munch on stinging nettles. ### Where is Small Tortoiseshell usually found? Gardens and woodlands ### How does Small Tortoiseshell hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Stadtpark Hamburg](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/stadtpark-hamburg) — Hamburg, DE · Park - [Sierra Nevada National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sierra-nevada-national-park) — Andalusia, ES · National Park ## 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: [Small Tortoiseshell: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/small-tortoiseshell)