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Wingspan Male: 68 - 72mm Female: 72 - 75mm

Large Tortoiseshell Nymphalis polychloros nim-FAY-liss po-lee-KLAW-ross Linnaeus, 1758 Ref: 1594

Superfamily: Papilionoidea Family: Nymphalidae Subfamily: Nymphalinae Genus: Aglais Subgenus: Nymphalis Species: polychloros

Introduction Distribution Annual Cycle Habitat Larval Foodplants Nectar Sources

Imago Ovum Larva Pupa Similar Species Videos

Sites Conservation Status Links References

Male

Male Underside

Female

Female Underside

	Introduction

In Victorian times the Large Tortoiseshell was considered widespread and common in woodland in southern England. However, this beautiful insect has since suffered a severe decline and there have been less than 150 records since 1951. This butterfly, whose numbers were always known to fluctuate, is generally considered to be extinct in the British Isles, with any sightings considered to be migrants from the continent or accidental or deliberate releases of captive-bred stock. Several causes of its decline have been suggested - including climate change, parasitism, and the effect of Dutch Elm disease on one of its primary foodplants. The hope, of course, is that this butterfly is able to once again colonise our islands.

	Distribution

This species is extinct in the British Isles. Although previously found in many parts of England, Wales and Scotland, the greatest concentrations were in the midlands, south and east of England. This species has not been recorded from Ireland.

	Annual Cycle

Adults emerge in July and August and overwinter in this stage, re-emerging in the spring. There is one brood each year.

	Habitat

This butterfly is found primarily in woodland, especially those containing sallows whose flowers provide a primary nectar source for the adults in the spring.

	Larval Foodplants

The primary larval foodplant is Elms (various) (Ulmus spp.). Aspen (Populus tremula), Birches (various) (Populus spp.), Poplars (various) (Populus spp.) and Willows (various) (Salix spp.) are also used.

	Nectar Sources

Adults feed primarily on Honeydew / Sap.

	Imago

This butterfly hibernates shortly after emerging from the pupa, finding a hibernation site in log piles or outbuildings. On emerging from hibernation in the spring, the butterfly feeds from Sallow flowers and sap runs and the adults mate soon after emerging. This powerful-flyer is often difficult to see when not feeding, as it can be difficult to approach, taking off at high speed at the least disturbance.

Photo © Mikhail	Photo © Pete Eeles 03-Jul-2005	Photo © Pete Eeles 01-Jul-2005	Photo © Pete Eeles 01-Jul-2005
Photo © Pete Eeles 03-Jul-2005	Photo © Pete Eeles 01-Jul-2005	Photo © Pete Eeles 10-Jun-2009	Photo © Sussex Kipper 26-Jun-2007
Photo © Sussex Kipper 26-Jun-2007

	Aberrations

Description to be completed

	Ovum

Eggs are laid in a cluster around a terminal twig of the foodplant, usually 3 metres or more above the ground and on the sunny side of the tree. They are yellow when first laid, but turn brown just before hatching. Eggs hatch in about 3 weeks.

Photo © Tom Sleep

	Larva

The larvae are gregarious in all of their instars, living in a communal web, although they disperse prior to pupation. When disturbed the entire group will jerk in unison, which is clearly designed to deter predators. Early collectors often obtained this species by collecting the conspicuous larval webs and rearing the offspring through. This stage lasts around a month.

Photo © Mikhail	Photo © Pete Eeles 31-May-2005	Photo © Pete Eeles 31-May-2005	Photo © Graham Smith
Photo © Tom Sleep	Photo © Tom Sleep	Photo © Tom Sleep	Photo © Tom Sleep

	Pupa

The pupa is suspended head-down, attached by the cremaster to a twig or other platform. This stage lasts around 2 weeks.

Photo © Pete Eeles 29-Jun-2005

Photo © Pete Eeles 29-Jun-2005

	Similar Species

Small Tortoiseshell

Description to be completed

	Videos

Play Video

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	Sites

No sites found.

	Conservation Status

This species is believed to be extinct as a resident, although sightings are reported in most years which are assumed to be immigrants. As such, no conservation action is relevant.

	Links

The following links provide additional information on this butterfly.

• British Butterflies by Steven Cheshire
• Butterfly Monitoring Scheme
• European Butterflies by Christopher Jonko
• European Butterflies by Matt Rowlings
• Guy Padfield's European Butterfly Page
• Learn About Butterflies by Adrian Hoskins
• Moths and Butterflies of Europe and North Africa
• Natural History Museum (Cockayne Database)

	References

The species description provided here has been derived from the author's own observations and the information contained in the following works:

• A Natural History of British Butterflies, by F.W.Frohawk.
• British and Irish Butterflies, by Adrian M. Riley
• South's British Butterflies, by T.G.Howarth (which is based extensively on the classic work, "The Butterflies of the British Isles", by Richard South).
• The Butterflies of Britain and Ireland, by Jeremy Thomas and Richard Lewington.
• The Millennium Atlas of Butterflies in Britain and Ireland, by Jim Asher, Martin Warren, Richard Fox, Paul Harding, Gail Jeffcoate, Stephen Jeffcoate.
• The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland Volume 7 (1) Hesperiidae to Nymphalidae (the Butterflies), by A. Maitland Emmet and John Heath (editors).
• The State of Butterflies in Britain and Ireland, Richard Fox, Jim Asher, Tom Brereton, David Roy and Martin Warren.

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