Dusky wireworm vs small tortoiseshell

Agriotes obscurus compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

• Dusky wireworm is Least Concern while small tortoiseshell is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Dusky wireworm	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	Elateridae	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus	Agriotes	Aglais
Species	Agriotes obscurus	Aglais urticae

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

Dusky wireworm

LC — Least Concern

small tortoiseshell

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Dusky wireworm	small tortoiseshell
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Dusky wireworm

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Found across Europe (5 countries) and North America (Canada, 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

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.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 5 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇨🇭 Switzerland