Pine processionary vs small tortoiseshell

Thaumetopoea pityocampa compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

• Pine processionary is Not Evaluated while small tortoiseshell is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Pine processionary	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	Notodontidae	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus	Thaumetopoea	Aglais
Species	Thaumetopoea pityocampa	Aglais urticae

Evolutionary Relationship

Pine processionary and small tortoiseshell share a common ancestor at the Order level: Lepidoptera. (Butterflies & Moths)

Conservation Status

Pine processionary

NE — Not Evaluated

small tortoiseshell

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Pine processionary	small tortoiseshell
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Pine processionary

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Algeria, Belgium, and Norway.

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 2 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇳🇴 Norway