scarce large blue vs small tortoiseshell

Maculinea teleius compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

• scarce large blue is Extinct while small tortoiseshell is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	scarce large blue	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	Maculinea	Aglais
Species	Maculinea teleius	Aglais urticae

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

scarce large blue

EX — Extinct

small tortoiseshell

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	scarce large blue	small tortoiseshell
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

scarce large blue

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Found in Belgium.

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 1 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium