Small Tortoiseshell
Aglais urticaeThe Small Tortoiseshell is one of the UK’s most colourful butterflies, with bright orange wings marked by black stripes and blue spots. Their underside is dark and bark-like, helping them blend into trees and dead leaves at rest. They are active across much of the year and may even be seen on mild winter days. Caterpillars live communally, defending themselves by moving in unison and producing green vomit to deter predators. Males perform a unique courtship by drumming their antennae on the wings of females for hours.
A distinctive and familiar sight in our skies
The Small Tortoiseshell is one of our most distinctive butterflies. Its vibrant orange wings, black stripes and blue spots along the wing edges make it easy to tell apart from other butterflies.
If the upperwings are made to be seen, though, the underwings serve the opposite purpose, with a very dark, mottled pattern giving the butterfly the appearance of a piece of tree bark.
That’s not their only defence against predators, though. The caterpillars live communally and fend off predators by jerking their bodies in unison. If that’s not offputting enough, they can produce a green vomit to make themselves un-snackable.
These creative little insects have their own special way of finding a mate, too. To woo a female, the male will follow and, from behind, drum his antennae on her hindwings. This unique method of courtship can carry on for several hours.
The Small Tortoiseshell can be seen across the whole of the UK and in lots of different habitats, from gardens to mountains.
Vibes
Each butterfly is scored out of 100 across a set of traits, from how bold and visible it is to how far it travels or how particular it is about where it lives. These scores compare each species with the other butterflies in Britain, helping you see their differences at a glance. Here’s what makes the Small Tortoiseshell special.
Bright colours, bold patterns, and a love of the spotlight. Some butterflies just can’t help showing off.
Fast, or throwing some seriously impressive moves, these butterflies are in a flutter.
Always on guard, ready to hide or defend - these butterflies have self-preservation down to an art.
It’s ok to be a little… well, weird. These butterflies have been certified with the freak factor.
Like Goldilocks, everything has to be just right for these perfectionists.
Hard to spot and even harder to forget, these butterflies are a true one of a kind.
Bold, curious, and ready to explore, these brave butterflies live for the thrill and aren’t afraid to travel.
Weather-resistant, battle-hardened, and built to survive, these butterflies know how to take it on the wing.
Small Tortoiseshell caterpillars defend themselves by moving in unison and even producing green fluid to deter predators.
Test your knowledge
How do male Small Tortoiseshells attract females?Males court females by tapping or drumming their antennae on the female’s hindwings, sometimes for several hours.
Does the Small Tortoiseshell get your vote?