Insect
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Size
4.5–6.2 cm (wingspan)About the size of a large postage stamp
Weight
Under 1 gramLighter than a paperclip
Lifespan
A few weeks as an adult; hibernating adults can survive up to 9–10 months total
Rarity
Common
M vs F
Look very similar; females are usually slightly larger with a rounder abdomen
Habitat
Gardens, hedgerows, meadows and woodland edges — anywhere with nettles and nectar flowers
Best time
March–October, with hibernating adults sometimes seen on warm winter days
Conservation
LC
💡 Did you know?
Small Tortoiseshells often hibernate indoors over winter — you might spot one sleeping in a shed, garage, or even your curtains!
Small Tortoiseshell caterpillars feed almost exclusively on common stinging nettles, so a patch of "weeds" left to grow can directly boost their numbers.
Often confused with
Peacock (larger
with eye-spots)
Red Admiral (black with red bands
no orange-and-black pattern)
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