Small Tortoiseshell

The Small Tortoiseshell is one of Britain’s best-known butterflies. It has bright orange wings with bold black and yellow patterns. Along the edges of the wings, there is a clear border of bright blue crescent shapes. The underside of the wings is a dark brown colour, which helps the butterfly blend in when resting. Adult butterflies have a wingspan of about 50 millimetres and are often seen resting with their wings open. This butterfly is common across the British Isles. It lives in gardens, meadows, the edges of woods, and hedgerows. The adults are especially drawn to flowers like buddleia and thistles, which have plenty of nectar. The Small Tortoiseshell spends the winter as an adult. It often takes shelter in places like sheds, outbuildings, or hollow trees. On warm days late in winter, it will come out of hiding. The caterpillars feed only on common nettle plants and are usually found in small groups on the upper leaves.