Dark Shadow Lichen vs small tortoiseshell

Phaeophyscia sciastra compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

Dark Shadow Lichen is Data Deficient while small tortoiseshell is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Dark Shadow Lichen	small tortoiseshell
Kingdom	Fungi (Fungi)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class	Lecanoromycetes (Lecanoromycetes)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Caliciales (Caliciales)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family	Physciaceae	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus	Phaeophyscia	Aglais
Species	Phaeophyscia sciastra	Aglais urticae

Conservation Status

Dark Shadow Lichen

DD — Data Deficient

small tortoiseshell

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Dark Shadow Lichen	small tortoiseshell
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Dark Shadow Lichen

Habitat

Native to Europe and North America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and United States.

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.

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.