Black Gem vs small tortoiseshell

Microchrysa cyaneiventris compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

• Black Gem is Least Concern while small tortoiseshell is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Black Gem	small tortoiseshell
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Arthropoda (Arthropods)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class same	Insecta (Insects)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Diptera (Diptera)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family	Stratiomyidae	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus	Microchrysa	Aglais
Species	Microchrysa cyaneiventris	Aglais urticae

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

Black Gem

LC — Least Concern

small tortoiseshell

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Black Gem	small tortoiseshell
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Black Gem

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

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.

Black Gem

The Black Gem (Microchrysa cyaneiventris) is a species in the genus Microchrysa. 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.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 4 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden