Dot-dash Firefly vs small tortoiseshell

Photuris pennsylvanica compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

• Dot-dash Firefly is Vulnerable while small tortoiseshell is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Dot-dash Firefly	small tortoiseshell
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Arthropoda (Arthropods)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class same	Insecta (Insects)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Coleoptera (Beetles)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family	Lampyridae	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus	Photuris	Aglais
Species	Photuris pennsylvanica	Aglais urticae

Evolutionary Relationship

Dot-dash Firefly and small tortoiseshell share a common ancestor at the Class level: Insecta. (Insects)

Conservation Status

Dot-dash Firefly

VU — Vulnerable

small tortoiseshell

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Dot-dash Firefly	small tortoiseshell
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Dot-dash Firefly

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Found in Canada. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

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.