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Picture ©2005, Wild About Britain

Small tortoiseshell butterfly - Aglais urticae

A common European butterfly with a wingspan of about 50mm (2in). Hibernating males ♂ and females ♀ appear early in the spring producing broods during May to October. The tortoiseshell has upper wings of marbled orange, yellow and black, and under parts of smokey brown. Wings have a ragged torn edge with a chocolate brown band at the outside edge. Dark brown spots mottle an overall brown or dark orange wing. The front pair of wings can have a band of yellow / black stripes on the leading edge. The gregarious caterpillars are black with yellow green stripes down the body and spines, and are usually to be found feeding on nettles, and occasionally on hops. Frequents hillsides, clearings, fields and gardens, often found inside windows in cellars Etc. Sun loving.

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