Opal chimaera vs small tortoiseshell

Chimaera opalescens compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

• Opal chimaera is Least Concern while small tortoiseshell is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Opal chimaera	small tortoiseshell
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class	Holocephali (Holocephali)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Chimaeriformes (Chimaeriformes)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family	Chimaeridae	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus	Chimaera	Aglais
Species	Chimaera opalescens	Aglais urticae

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

Opal chimaera

LC — Least Concern

small tortoiseshell

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Opal chimaera	small tortoiseshell
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Opal chimaera

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.