Brook Alder vs large tortoiseshell

Alnus maritima compared with Nymphalis polychloros

Key Differences

  • Brook Alder is Endangered while large tortoiseshell is Critically Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank Brook Alder large tortoiseshell
Kingdom Plantae (Plants) Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants) Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class Magnoliopsida (Dicots) Insecta (Insects)
Order Fagales (Beeches & Oaks) Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family Betulaceae Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus Alnus Nymphalis
Species Alnus maritima Nymphalis polychloros

Conservation Status

Brook Alder

EN — Endangered

large tortoiseshell

CR — Critically Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute Brook Alder large tortoiseshell
Diet
Average Lifespan
Average Length
Average Weight

Habitat & Geographic Range

Brook Alder

Habitat

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

Range

Distributed across Belgium, France, Netherlands, and United Kingdom. Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

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.

Brook Alder

The Brook Alder (Alnus maritima) is a species in the genus Alnus. It is currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in diverse terrestrial habitats from tropical forests to temperate regions.

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.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 4 countries:

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