scarce copper vs small tortoiseshell

Lycaena virgaureae compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

scarce copper is Least Concern while small tortoiseshell is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	scarce copper	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	Lycaenidae	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus	Lycaena	Aglais
Species	Lycaena virgaureae	Aglais urticae

Evolutionary Relationship

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

View Order: Lepidoptera

Conservation Status

scarce copper

LC — Least Concern

small tortoiseshell

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	scarce copper	small tortoiseshell
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

scarce copper

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Found across Europe (38 countries).

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.

scarce copper

scarce copper (Lycaena virgaureae) is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List. Widespread and abundant across its range, with stable populations and no immediate conservation concerns.

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.