Code

Open wings: They are bright orange and seem clean. The forewing has three big spots rising on the front margin. The one which is closest to the apex has a white spot beneath, and three more black spots which are aligned and go across the wings. There is a small black spot on the on the inner side of the hindwing. To a lesser or greater extent, the black spots are sprinkled by vague attached yellow dots. Both wings have irregular outer margins, with a black stripe covered in bluish spots.

Closed wings: The inner side is grey, and it has a broad stripe in the middle, which is mottled with grey and creamy white colours. The outer margin is grey. There is a big yellowish spot on the forewing.

Similar species

Large Tortoiseshell / Blackleg Tortoiseshell: It is larger. When it opens the wings it seems dirtier than the above species, as golden scales are scattered about its wings. It has a dot which is close to the forewing anal angle, and this is the key feature that can be used to make a difference between it and the Small Tortoiseshell. There is more brown colour on its closed wings, and there is no yellowish spot on the forewing.

Biology and Habitat

There are one or two generations a year, depending on the season. They hibernate in winter as adult butterflies. This species has not been seen many times in Málaga. Some examples of butterflies can be usually spotted in February, April and June.

The only colonies of the young in Málaga are placed on high and stony areas, or pastures and grassland, at an altitude higher than 1200 m. Their caterpillars feed on nettles (Urtica spp.).

Distribution in the Great Path

This species is rare in Málaga, where only one population settled in higher zones of the Tejeda Mountains. Nevertheless, considering their tendency to scatter around, it has been seen in varied places in the province. As for the GMP, it was in the Almijara Mountains. Other places where this species might be seen, as they have been spotted in the surrounding area, are the stages that go through the Tejeda and Almijara Mountains and the Arco Calizo Central, as well as around the Fuente de Piedra lagoon or the Alpujata Mountains. Please send any information about spotting the species at any point along or outside of the GMP to the author of this guide.