Small Tortoiseshell

Description:

This common but striking butterfly has orange wings with black, yellow and white markings, and shows a row of blue triangles on the outer margins. The underwing is mostly brown, making for great camouflage. Threatened individuals can rapidly open their wings and scare birds away with a display of colors.

Habitat:

A garden planted with lavender, alt. 1300 m ASL. This species is found throughout temperate Europe, Asia Minor, Central Asia, Siberia, China, Mongolia, Korea and Japan.

Notes:

This butterfly occurs in one to three yearly broods depending on the climate, and can be seen on the wing till the end of October. Late in the season its colors are very washed out. It hibernates to reappear in March/April.