Bi-Coloured Skipper vs large tortoiseshell

Abantis bicolor compared with Nymphalis polychloros

Key Differences

• Bi-Coloured Skipper is Near Threatened while large tortoiseshell is Critically Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Bi-Coloured Skipper	large tortoiseshell
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Arthropoda (Arthropods)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class same	Insecta (Insects)	Insecta (Insects)
Order same	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family	Hesperiidae	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus	Abantis	Nymphalis
Species	Abantis bicolor	Nymphalis polychloros

Evolutionary Relationship

Bi-Coloured Skipper and large tortoiseshell share a common ancestor at the Order level: Lepidoptera. (Butterflies & Moths)

Conservation Status

Bi-Coloured Skipper

NT — Near Threatened

large tortoiseshell

CR — Critically Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Bi-Coloured Skipper	large tortoiseshell
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Bi-Coloured Skipper

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

large tortoiseshell

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, temperate coniferous forests, and boreal forests and taiga, among 9 distinct biome types within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Found across Europe (39 countries). Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Bi-Coloured Skipper

The Bi-Coloured Skipper (Abantis bicolor) is a species in the genus Abantis. It is currently classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

large tortoiseshell

large tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros) is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List. Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild due to severe population decline and habitat loss.