Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly

Aglais urticae /(Nymphalis urticae)

Photos have been downgraded in size and quality for Internet bandwidth; copyright e-barrett

For identification of butterflies, both the top and side views are shown.

Bright orange with a sky-blue, dotted border and tiger-striped shoulders. The tattiest small tortoiseshells are usually seem early in the year, as early as February, having emerged from hibernation and the freshest individuals are often late in the year (October/November) having emerged from their chrysalis to feed up for hibernation.

With closed wings, the Small Tortoiseshell butterfly is well-camouflaged as a dead leaf.

-- It's relative, the Large Tortoiseshell, is extinct in UK

-- Like Peacock butterfly caterpillars, Small Tortoiseshell caterpillars live their early life en masse in a silk web and feed on nettles. Both are at risk from parasitic flies/wasps.
       
Small Tortoiseshell caterpillar
      

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