Small Tortoiseshell

Naming

*"A. u. urticae" Europe, W.Siberia - Altai
⤷ "A. u. polaris" North Europe, Siberia, Russian Far East
⤷ "A. u. turcica" South Europe, Caucasus, Transcaucasia, Kopet Dagh, Middle Asia
⤷ "A. u. baicalensis" Sayan, Transbaikalia
⤷ "A. u. eximia" Amur, Ussuri
⤷ "A. u. stoetzneri" Szechuan
⤷ "A. u. kansuensis" North-West China
⤷ "A. u. chinensis" Leech, 1893 China Japan Korea
⤷ "A. u. connexa" South Ussuri, South Sakhalin, Kuriles, Japan

The Corsican Small Tortoiseshell looks very similar; whether it is a subspecies or a distinct species is yet to be determined. "Nymphalis xanthomelas" and "Nymphalis l-album" are also similar in appearance.

Behavior

The adult is striking, with its dark body and red and yellow wings, which have a row of blue dots around the rear edge. However the underwings are dull, which helps to conceal stationary or hibernating individuals. When threatened, resting individuals rapidly open their wings, presenting the dramatic display of colours. This can frighten away young or inexperienced birds.The caterpillars feed on stinging nettles and small nettle, "Urtica urens" as do those of several Nymphalid butterflies. Adults feed on nectar.
The species has one of the longest seasons of any Eurasian butterfly, extending from early spring to late autumn. Adults overwinter in hibernation, emerging on the first warm sunny days of the year to mate and breed. In southern parts of the range there may be two broods each year, but northern insects are inhibited by long summer daylength from breeding a second time.

Habitat

Occupies a wide range of natural and semi-natural habitats - excepting dense forest - up to more than 3 000 m above sea level.This is a species often found in gardens.