Tortoise Shell Butterfly
Tortoise Shell Butterfly
(Aglais urticae), a diurnal butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. The wings are brick red with black markings, and their spread is approximately 5 cm. The tortoise shell butterfly is found in Europe and the temperate zone of Asia. The butterflies emerge at the end of summer; the males die in autumn, and the fertilized females winter in various shelters (often in garrets). The butterflies awaken from hibernation in early spring. They lay eggs on nettles. The caterpillars are black with mottled yellow markings and have thornlike spines covered with short hairs.