broadleaf milkweed vs small tortoiseshell

Asclepias latifolia compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

  • broadleaf milkweed is Extinct while small tortoiseshell is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank broadleaf milkweed small tortoiseshell
Kingdom Plantae (Plants) Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants) Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class Magnoliopsida (Dicots) Insecta (Insects)
Order Gentianales (Gentianales) Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family Apocynaceae Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus Asclepias Aglais
Species Asclepias latifolia Aglais urticae

Conservation Status

broadleaf milkweed

EX — Extinct

small tortoiseshell

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute broadleaf milkweed small tortoiseshell
Diet
Average Lifespan
Average Length
Average Weight

Habitat & Geographic Range

broadleaf milkweed

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial habitats from tropical forests to temperate regions.

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.

broadleaf milkweed

The Broadleaf Milkweed (Asclepias latifolia) is a species in the genus Asclepias. It is currently classified as Extinct on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in diverse terrestrial habitats from tropical forests to temperate regions.

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.

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