Small Tortoiseshell

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Small Tortoiseshell
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Lepidoptera (unranked) Rhopalocera Superfamily: Papilionoidea Family: Nymphalidae Subfamily: Nymphalinae Tribe: Nymphalini Genus: Nymphalis Species: N. urticae
Binomial name
Nymphalis urticae (Linnaeus, 1758)
Synonyms
Aglais urticae, Vanessa urticae

The Small Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis urticae) is a well-known colourful butterfly, found in temperate Europe. There are a few records from New York City which, however, are believed to have arrived human-assisted.

This is a species often found in gardens. The caterpillars feed on nettles, as do those of several Nymphalidae butterflies.

The adult is striking, with its dark body and red and yellow wings, which have a row of blue dots around the rear edge. However, the underwings are dull, which helps to conceal stationary or hibernating individuals. When threatened, resting individuals rapidly open their wings, presenting the dramatic display of colors. This can frighten away young or inexperienced birds (Stevens 2005).

The butterfly is abundant in most areas of the United Kingdom and Ireland. However, its availability often varies yearly. Its commonness may often depend on the status of the common wasp in that particular season, as the wasp is known to feed on the Tortoiseshell's pupae.

The Corsican Small Tortoiseshell Nymphalis (urticae) ichnusa looks very similar; whether it is a subspecies or a distinct species is yet to be determined.

[edit] Gallery

Young caterpillars live in groups	Older caterpillars are solitary	Chrysalis shortly before hatching	Underside of wings
Side view, proboscis visible	thumb

[edit] References

• Stevens, Martin (2005): The role of eyespots as anti-predator mechanisms, principally demonstrated in the Lepidoptera. Biol. Rev. 80(4): 573–588. doi:10.1017/S1464793105006810 (HTML abstract)