Small
Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
Chiddingfold
Forest, 2016
The
beautiful Small Tortoiseshell A. urticae
can turn up almost anywhere and appears in gardens throughout the British
Isles. It is one of our most successful butterflies. As its scientific name correctly
suggests, it is most-often seen where nettles grow in abundance; both Common
Nettle (Urtica dioica) and Small
Nettle (U. urens) are used for
egg-laying and larval nutrition. A.
urticae is also frequently encountered whilst hibernating in an outbuilding,
such as a garage, shed or barn, where they may be found in the company of other
individuals. Further hibernation sites include hollow trees and woodpiles. I
personally experienced some fifteen individuals overwintering in an old converted
tractor shed last year. They were surprisingly first seen to be entering
hibernation on 31st July 2015. They stayed in this state for eight months and
only occasionally showed signs of any movement.
The
adult butterflies can be seen on the wing at any time of the year, even on the
last days of December or first days of January if the temperature is high
enough to wake them from their dormancy. However, adults normally emerge from
hibernation at the end of March and start of April. There are typically two
broods each year, except in the north, where there is usually only a single
brood. Whether single or double-brooded, the butterfly can be a familiar sight
in late summer as it imbibes nectar to build up essential fats in preparation
for its period of rest.
The
above images show two separate males, the first, exhibiting dorsal thermoregulation on a forestry track in
early July, the second, having successfully overwintered in the adult form, resting on a log pile in early
April; the antennae tucked tightly between its forewings and showing the
exquisite camouflage of the underside.
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