Dodder Astragalus vs small tortoiseshell

Astragalus cuscutae compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

Dodder Astragalus is Endangered while small tortoiseshell is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Dodder Astragalus	small tortoiseshell
Kingdom	Plantae (Plants)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class	Magnoliopsida (Dicots)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Fabales (Legumes & Allies)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family	Fabaceae	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus	Astragalus	Aglais
Species	Astragalus cuscutae	Aglais urticae

Conservation Status

Dodder Astragalus

EN — Endangered

small tortoiseshell

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Dodder Astragalus	small tortoiseshell
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Dodder Astragalus

Habitat

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

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.