BUTTERFLIES

SMALL TORTOISESHELL:

The Latin name for this butterfly is Aglais urticae.

The small tortoiseshell is a good flier, it ventures far afield in search of food. When the alpine meadows are in bloom it visits them in groups of up to 20 butterflies at a time. The adult butterflies hibernate during the winter and may be found in cellars, corridors and attics.

This is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of 5-6cm. Both sexes are similar, with three black bars on the leading edge of the forewing, and a series of variable blue marks inside the margins of the orangey red wings. The outer edges of the wings are sculpted to a point and the undersides of the wings are dark, especially towards the base.

The eggs from this butterfly are laid on stinging nettles in sunny places. These then hatch to produce clusters of yellow-black spiny caterpillars.