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Irish Independent

Nature Trail: The Small Tortoiseshell is a familiar butterfly

There is, or course, a Large Tortoiseshell, but that butterfly has never been recorded in Ireland. It used to be widespread in Britain, but the population went into sharp decline and the species was declared extinct in the UK by the 1960s. It is reported to be still common in parts of mainland Europe. In addition to the Small Tortoiseshell being one of the most common and widespread butterflies found in Ireland, it is common and widespread throughout its large geographical range that extends in a broad band across all of Europe and Asia from Ireland to Japan and reaching as far north as Siberia and as far south as Saudi Arabia. The adults overwintered by coming indoors in autumn to benefit from the warmer and drier conditions found in our homes and outbuildings. An insect may have found a refuge in the folds of curtains and hibernated there causing no harm or disturbance to the householders who may have been unaware of the presence of an uninvited guest sharing their home. Prompted by the arrival of springtime, overwintering adults emerged from hibernation and took flight to find early-flowering Dandelions offering a welcome supply of nectar to give the insects their first feed and the sugar hit needed to get them active again after their extended period of inactivity caused by winter. There is evidence that the species migrates, but little is known about what proportion of the insects on the wing in springtime is made up of local residents recently emerged from hibernation and what proportion comprises immigrants arriving from abroad. Locals, immigrants, males and females are all remarkably similar in appearance, so little can be gleaned from a casual sighting of one colourful insect. Adults are breeding at present, and eggs are being laid on the leaves of Common Nettle. Large nettle beds are essential for the survival of the caterpillars before their parents die. All going well, the next generation of adults will be flying from next July onwards.