small tortoiseshell
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small tortoiseshell small tortoiseshell
small tortoiseshell
aberrant specimen showing loss of pigment in fore-wings
 small tortoiseshell


caterpillars
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Final instar caterpillars have stronger yellow markings.


courtship

There is some evidence that male butterflies show a strong genetic preference for a partner with a similar appearance to themselves. The two species shown below (small tortoiseshell and red admiral) are vaguely alike but who knows what 'similarity' means to a butterfly?

small tortoiseshell
Positive interest being shown by small tortoiseshell in a red admiral.
small tortoiseshell
The small tortoiseshell kept following the red admiral and fluttered its wings as it approached.
small tortoiseshell
It's clearly very attentive and showing signs of courtship towards another species.


small tortoiseshell
Another short courtship sequence. This time between two tortoiseshells!
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in flight
small tortoiseshell