Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly

Aglais urticae

These vibrant orange and black butterflies are garden favorites, particularly drawn to buddleia, lavender, and sedum flowers. They’re sun-lovers, often seen basking on warm stones or south-facing walls with wings spread wide. Summer brings their second generation, with caterpillars feeding exclusively on stinging nettles – so leaving a nettle patch helps support them. Adults can live for 10 months, overwintering in sheds and emerging briefly on warm winter days. Their underwings are perfectly camouflaged to look like dead leaves, providing excellent protection when resting.