David Element

Wildlife Photography

and Digital Video Images

Butterflies 21 - Nymphalidae - Small Tortoiseshells 1

                              SMALL TORTOISESHELL BUTTERFLY Aglais urticae

                              SMALL TORTOISESHELL BUTTERFLY Aglais urticae

                              SMALL TORTOISESHELL BUTTERFLY Aglais urticae

• These images of the attractive Small Tortoiseshell have been somewhat enhanced by the choice of background. The butterflies are seen on Fleabane Pulicaria dysenterica (*once literally used to banish fleas and treat Dysentery as may be evident from both the common and scientific names), Common Spotted Orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii and Field Scabious Knautia arvensis respectively. The larvae feed on Stinging Nettle Urtica dioica. There is some concern about the stability of the population of this formerly very common butterfly in the UK at present following the establishment of of the continental tachinid fly Sturmia bella as a breeding species. This phenomenon has been reported in The Daily Telegraph - see: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main,jhtml?xml=earth/2008/3/29/eabfly129.xml for the full story.

*Source: 'Wild Flowers of Britain', Roger Phillips, Pan, ISBN 0 330 25183X

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