Invertebrates
Small Tortoiseshell
Aglais urticae · also called small tortoiseshell butterfly
On a buddleia in late summer, a small tortoiseshell opens its orange wings to the sun, one of Europe’s most familiar butterflies, and one that has become much less common.
Overview
The small tortoiseshell, Aglais urticae, is a Least Concern butterfly found across Europe and temperate Asia. Its orange-and-black wings, nettle-feeding caterpillars, and adult hibernation make it a classic garden butterfly, though it has declined sharply in parts of Britain.
A garden favourite in decline
Once one of the commonest butterflies in British gardens, the small tortoiseshell has become a species that conservationists now watch closely.
Status
Least Concern, widespread but declining in parts of its range.
Small Tortoiseshell: common questions
What do small tortoiseshell caterpillars eat?
They feed together in groups inside a silk web on stinging nettle.
Does the small tortoiseshell hibernate?
Yes, it spends the winter as an adult in sheds, outbuildings, and hollow trees.
Why is the small tortoiseshell declining in Britain?
It has fallen sharply in parts of Britain in recent decades, with changes in climate and parasites among the causes being studied.
Where is the small tortoiseshell found?
It lives across Europe and temperate Asia, from Britain to Japan.