A-Z of butterflies

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Small Tortoiseshell - Photograph by Jim AsherNBN Map - Small TortoiseshellMap courtesy of National Biodiversity Network (NBN)View full NBN Gateway profile

Small Tortoiseshell

Widespread throughout Britain and Ireland, commonly found in gardens. Bright orange and black wings with white spot in forewing which separates it from the larger and much rarer Large Tortoiseshell.

Resident

Range stable.

The Small Tortoiseshell is among the most well known butterflies in Britain and Ireland. The striking and attractive patterning, and its appearance at almost any time of the year in urban areas have made it a familiar species. It is one of the first butterflies to be seen in spring and in the autumn it often visits garden flowers in large numbers.

The Small Tortoiseshell is one of our most widespread species and has shown little overall change in range.

Conservation status

  • UK BAP status: not listed
  • Butterfly Conservation priority: low but concern over recent decline
  • European threat status: not threatened

European/world range

Widespread from the Atlantic coast of Europe through to the Pacific coast of Asia. The distribution in Europe is stable.

Foodplants

Common Nettle (Urtica dioica) and Small Nettle (U. urens) are used.

Habitat

The adult butterflies can be seen in any habitat, from mountain summits above 1000m to city centres. The foodplants prosper in nutrient-enriched soils and breeding habitats are often associated with human activity, even areas of intensive agriculture. Breeding has been recorded at altitudes of over 300m.