Small Tortoiseshell

Small Tortoiseshell
: Eukaryota : Animalia : Metazoa : Arthropoda : Hexapoda : Insecta : Pterygota : Neoptera : Endopterygota : Lepidoptera : Ditrysia Division: Rhopalocera : Papilionoidea : Nymphalidae : Nymphalinae : Nymphalini : Nymphalis : urticae
Binomial name
Nymphalis urticae (Linnaeus, 1758)

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.