Large Beech Argent vs small tortoiseshell

Argyresthia semitestacella compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

• Large Beech Argent is Least Concern while small tortoiseshell is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Large Beech Argent	small tortoiseshell
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Arthropoda (Arthropods)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class same	Insecta (Insects)	Insecta (Insects)
Order same	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family	Argyresthiidae	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus	Argyresthia	Aglais
Species	Argyresthia semitestacella	Aglais urticae

Evolutionary Relationship

Large Beech Argent and small tortoiseshell share a common ancestor at the Order level: Lepidoptera. (Butterflies & Moths)

Conservation Status

Large Beech Argent

LC — Least Concern

small tortoiseshell

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Large Beech Argent	small tortoiseshell
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Large Beech Argent

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

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 4 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden