Blackthorn slender vs small tortoiseshell

Parornix torquillella compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

• Blackthorn slender is Endangered while small tortoiseshell is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Blackthorn slender	small 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	Gracillariidae	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus	Parornix	Aglais
Species	Parornix torquillella	Aglais urticae

Evolutionary Relationship

Blackthorn slender and small tortoiseshell share a common ancestor at the Order level: Lepidoptera. (Butterflies & Moths)

Conservation Status

Blackthorn slender

EN — Endangered

small tortoiseshell

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Blackthorn slender	small tortoiseshell
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Blackthorn slender

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

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.

Blackthorn slender

The Blackthorn slender (Parornix torquillella) is a species in the genus Parornix. It is currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Found across Europe (8 countries). Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

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 8 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇫🇷 France 🇮🇹 Italy 🇳🇴 Norway 🇷🇺 Russia 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇺🇦 Ukraine