Aglais urticae

Photograph of Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae), taken September 2016, rear garden, Staffordshire. © Pete Hillman 2016. Camera used Nikon D7200, with Sigma 105mm macro lens.

09/16 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals, Animals (Invertebrates), Butterflies, Insects, Nature PhotographyTags: Aglais urticae, Butterflies, Butterfly, Butterfly-bush, Insects, Lepidoptera, Macro, Macro Photography, Nature, Nature Photography, Small Tortoiseshell, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 2 Comments

Standing Out

Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) on Common Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea).

07/1607/16 by Peter Hillman Categories: Animals (Invertebrates), Butterflies, Insects, Nature PhotographyTags: Aglais urticae, Butterflies, Butterfly, Fields, Insects, Lepidoptera, Meadows, Nature, Nature Photography, Small Tortoiseshell, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography 7 Comments

Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)

I spotted this distinctively coloured butterfly as it was happily feeding on blue lobelia which I have growing in hanging baskets.

The upperside ground colour of this butterfly is striking bright orange or brick-red, with a blue studded border to all wings and distinctive black markings on the forewings. The underside colouration is rather dull, but this makes for excellent camouflage when resting or hibernating. Females are larger than males, but there is no other difference. Wingspan 50mm.

The caterpillars feed mainly on Stinging Nettle, but other nettles are used.

One of the first butterflies to appear in spring, even as early as February in the south. Flies May to October in one, two or three broods. Adults hibernate in tree hollows or outbuildings. Found wherever there are flowers, including town gardens and parks. One of our commonest butterflies, resident.