Lesser bilby vs small tortoiseshell

Macrotis leucura compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

• Lesser bilby is Extinct while small tortoiseshell is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Lesser bilby	small tortoiseshell
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Peramelemorphia (Peramelemorphia)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family	Thylacomyidae	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus	Macrotis	Aglais
Species	Macrotis leucura	Aglais urticae

Evolutionary Relationship

Lesser bilby and small tortoiseshell share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Animals)

Conservation Status

Lesser bilby

EX — Extinct

small tortoiseshell

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Lesser bilby	small tortoiseshell
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Lesser bilby

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

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.