Dark Spreadwing vs small tortoiseshell

Lestes macrostigma compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

• Dark Spreadwing is Least Concern while small tortoiseshell is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Dark Spreadwing	small tortoiseshell
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Arthropoda (Arthropods)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class same	Insecta (Insects)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Odonata (Odonata)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family	Lestidae	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus	Lestes	Aglais
Species	Lestes macrostigma	Aglais urticae

Evolutionary Relationship

Dark Spreadwing and small tortoiseshell share a common ancestor at the Class level: Insecta. (Insects)

Conservation Status

Dark Spreadwing

LC — Least Concern

small tortoiseshell

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Dark Spreadwing	small tortoiseshell
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Dark Spreadwing

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

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

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.