Cowslip vs small tortoiseshell

Primula veris compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

  • Cowslip is Least Concern while small tortoiseshell is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank Cowslip small tortoiseshell
Kingdom Plantae (Plants) Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants) Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class Magnoliopsida (Dicots) Insecta (Insects)
Order Ericales (Ericales) Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family Primulaceae Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus Primula Aglais
Species Primula veris Aglais urticae

Conservation Status

Cowslip

LC — Least Concern

small tortoiseshell

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute Cowslip small tortoiseshell
Diet
Average Lifespan
Average Length
Average Weight

Habitat & Geographic Range

Cowslip

Habitat

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

Range

Widely distributed across Europe (6 countries), North America (Canada, United States), and South America (Brazil).

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.

Cowslip

No description available.

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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