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Small
Tortoiseshell
Wingspan
40mm
A pretty butterfly, widespread and common in parks and gardens,
where flowers abound. Upper wings are brightly marked orange
with yellow and black flecks. Underwings are paler camouflaged
version of the tops. Eggs are laid on stinging nettles where
the caterpillars feed. Adults are often found hibernating
in outbuildings. |
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It's
really satisfying to be able to identify the wildlife you see. It
adds a new dimension to your understanding of the world around you
and the inter-dependence of all our natural flora and fauna.
Most of us can identify a greater or lesser number of creatures from
our own experience in our towns and gardens. However, how much do
we know about the differences between
the sexes? Summer and winter plumage? Eating habits? Breeding habits? Sometimes we are only going to get fleeting glimpses of creatures
in our normal lives. A badger or weasel crossing the road at night. |