Rusty Snaketail vs small tortoiseshell

Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

• Rusty Snaketail is Least Concern while small tortoiseshell is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Rusty Snaketail	small tortoiseshell
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Arthropoda (Arthropods)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class same	Insecta (Insects)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Odonata (Odonata)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family	Gomphidae	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus	Ophiogomphus	Aglais
Species	Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis	Aglais urticae

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

Rusty Snaketail

LC — Least Concern

small tortoiseshell

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Rusty Snaketail	small tortoiseshell
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Rusty Snaketail

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Found in 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.