scarce heath vs small tortoiseshell

Coenonympha hero compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

scarce heath is Endangered while small tortoiseshell is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	scarce heath	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 same	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus	Coenonympha	Aglais
Species	Coenonympha hero	Aglais urticae

Evolutionary Relationship

scarce heath and small tortoiseshell share a common ancestor at the Family level: Nymphalidae. (Brush-footed Butterflies)

View Family: Nymphalidae

Conservation Status

scarce heath

EN — Endangered

small tortoiseshell

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

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

Habitat & Geographic Range

scarce heath

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Found across Europe (20 countries). Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

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 (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.