Small Tortoiseshell

The Small Tortoiseshell is notable for its relatively long lifespan, as adults can live for up to a year. They spend a significant portion of their lives in hibernation during the winter months, often seeking shelter in hollow trees, attics, or sheds. Once spring arrives, they emerge to mate and reproduce before the next generation hatches.

Small Tortoiseshell caterpillars feed almost exclusively on stinging nettles. Females lay their eggs in large clusters on the underside of nettle leaves, where the larvae feed gregariously in web-like nests before spreading out as they grow. This makes nettles an essential plant for their survival in the wild.

The Small Tortoiseshell has seen population declines in parts of the UK, primarily due to the presence of a parasitic fly called Sturmia bella. This parasite lays its eggs on nettle leaves, which are then eaten by the butterfly's caterpillars. The developing fly larva eventually kills the butterfly's chrysalis, severely impacting local survival rates.

Adult Small Tortoiseshell butterflies survive the winter by entering a state of hibernation known as diapause. They seek out cool, dry, and dark places such as unheated buildings, hollow trees, or caves to remain dormant. This allows them to be among the first butterflies seen flying in the early spring.