Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly
Description: The Small Tortoiseshell butterfly is bright orange with a black border and blue spots around the edge of the wings. The forewing has 3 rectangular black patches and the hindwings have black on them aswell. The underside of the wings are a black and brown colouring with a row of faint blue spots near the edge.
Size: The Small Tortoiseshell has a wingspan of approximately 45-60mm.
Habitat: This butterfly lives in gardens, parks, meadows, woodlands, grasslands, farms and country lanes.
Food: The Small Tortoiseshell butterfly feeds on nectar from flowering plants such as the buddleia, daisies, thistles, ragwort and dandelion. The caterpillar feeds on stinging nettles.
Distribution: The Small Tortoiseshell butterfly can be found throughout the UK.
Months Seen: This species of butterfly can be seen from March to October.
Did You Know?
- The Small Tortoiseshell caterpillar is a black or brown colour with branching spines and yellow bands on eachside of it’s body.
- The adult butterfly sleeps in sheds and houses during the Winter.
- Eggs from the caterpillar are laid on the stinging nettle.
Pleased to hear that you can now move cattle for slaughter, Lets hope that restrictions will soon be lifted completely
John
Comment by Farmer giles — August 9, 2007 @ 5:28 am
Hi John,
Yes it is good news. I am just catching up on the latest news as I have had my cousin visiting from Australia for the last 3 days so now need to catch up with the farming news. It will be good when it all gets back to normal.
Thanks for visiting and commenting.
Sara @ farmingfriends
Comment by Sara @ Farming Friends — August 9, 2007 @ 7:59 am