Balkan Emerald vs small tortoiseshell

Somatochlora meridionalis compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

• Balkan Emerald is Least Concern while small tortoiseshell is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Balkan Emerald	small tortoiseshell
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Arthropoda (Arthropods)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class same	Insecta (Insects)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Odonata (Odonata)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family	Corduliidae	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus	Somatochlora	Aglais
Species	Somatochlora meridionalis	Aglais urticae

Evolutionary Relationship

Balkan Emerald and small tortoiseshell share a common ancestor at the Class level: Insecta. (Insects)

Conservation Status

Balkan Emerald

LC — Least Concern

small tortoiseshell

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Balkan Emerald	small tortoiseshell
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Balkan Emerald

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

small tortoiseshell

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Found across Europe (41 countries). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Balkan Emerald

The Balkan Emerald (Somatochlora meridionalis) is a species in the genus Somatochlora. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

small tortoiseshell

small tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List. Close to qualifying as threatened, with populations that may become vulnerable without conservation action.