SMALL TORTOISESHELL |
AGLAIS URTICAE |
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| Fig 1 |
ADULT: Wingspan - 42 - 46mm. The upperwing surfaces are primarily orange and black with a row of blue spots around the wing margins. The underneath is dark grey and brown and provides excellent camouflage. CHRYSALIS: 22mm. Similar to a dead leaf and usually brown in colour although this can be variable. Hatches after 12 days. LARVA: Black and bristly with two discontinuous yellow lines along each flank. Poisonous. EGG: Pale green and located underneath nettle leaves. Laid in clusters and hatching within 2 weeks. BEHAVIOUR: Can be territorial and also have a tendency to bask early in the day. Hibernates during the winter sometimes in large groups. HABITAT: Almost any habitat from woodland to city centres. FLIGHT PERIOD: March to October. |