large tortoiseshell vs small tortoiseshell

Nymphalis polychloros compared with Aglais urticae

Key Differences

large tortoiseshell is Critically Endangered while small tortoiseshell is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	large tortoiseshell	small tortoiseshell
Kingdom same	Animalia (hayvan)	Animalia (hayvan)
Phylum same	Arthropoda (Eklem bacaklılar)	Arthropoda (Eklem bacaklılar)
Class same	Insecta (böcek)	Insecta (böcek)
Order same	Lepidoptera (Pul kanatlılar)	Lepidoptera (Pul kanatlılar)
Family same	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)	Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
Genus	Nymphalis	Aglais
Species	Nymphalis polychloros	Aglais urticae

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Göster Family: Nymphalidae

Conservation Status

large tortoiseshell

CR — Critically Endangered

small tortoiseshell

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

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

Habitat & Geographic Range

large tortoiseshell

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, temperate coniferous forests, and boreal forests and taiga, among 9 distinct biome types within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Found across Europe (39 countries). Currently classified as Critically 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.

large tortoiseshell

large tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros) is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List. Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild due to severe population decline and habitat loss.

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.