Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly - Aglais urticae

This is one of the few butterflies that hibernate as adults, and you may come across them indoors in the dead of winter. They first emerge in March, and in mild years they are still seen on the wing as late as October.

Small Tortoiseshell butterflies are particularly fond of thistles, and they are often to be seen beside spate rivers in Wales.

The Large Tortoiseshell butterfly (Nymphalis polychloros) is similar in appearance but does not have the large black patch on the underside of the hind wing.

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