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Small Tortoise shell

Small Tortoise shell

Photo by Norman Pimlott

Small Tortoise shell

Small Tortoise shell

Photo by Norman Pimlott

Small Tortoise shell

Small Tortoise shell

Photo by Norman Pimlott

Small Tortoise shell

Small Tortoise shell

Photo by Norman Pimlott

Small tortoiseshell

Small tortoiseshell

Photo by Norman Pimlott

Small Tortoiseshell - Aglais urticae

A familiar pretty butterfly with orangy brown wings that are marked with blues and darker browns. The orange upper sides of the wings provide a contrast with the drab undersides. This butterfly can turn up almost anywhere, from city centres to mountaintops. As such, it is one of our most successful butterflies. It is most-often seen, however, where nettles grow in abundance, such as field margins.

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