Catkin Yew vs large tortoiseshell

Amentotaxus argotaenia compared with Nymphalis polychloros

Key Differences

• Catkin Yew is Near Threatened while large tortoiseshell is Critically Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Catkin Yew	large tortoiseshell
Kingdom	Plantae (Plants)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Coniferophyta (Conifers)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class	Pinopsida (Conifers)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Pinales (Pines & Allies)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family	Taxaceae	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus	Amentotaxus	Nymphalis
Species	Amentotaxus argotaenia	Nymphalis polychloros

Conservation Status

Catkin Yew

NT — Near Threatened

large tortoiseshell

CR — Critically Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Catkin Yew	large tortoiseshell
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Catkin Yew

Habitat

Typically found in temperate and boreal forests, often at higher elevations.

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.

Catkin Yew

The Catkin Yew (Amentotaxus argotaenia) is a species in the genus Amentotaxus. It is currently classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in temperate and boreal forests, often at higher elevations.

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.