Species account

Nældens Takvinge (Aglais urticae)    Linnaeus (1758)
   Takvinger (Nymphalidae)    SMTO    24763
Small Tortoiseshell (gb)   Ortiguera (es)   Nässelfjäril (se)  
Measurements:
WS: 40-52mm
Generations:
1
Flight period:
JFMAMJJASOND 
SE
Identification:
Similar species:
Life stages:
Distribution:
Temperate areas of Palearctic region from Europe to Japan.
Habitat:
Behavior:
Status:
Very common in Denmark and Fennoscandinavia.
Comment:
Official Danish National Butterfly.
Small Tortoiseshell 372    (1 photos)
2020-04-06    Kongelundsområdet, Denmark

Imago
A few individuals starting to fly now, despite of the air still being cold, but we've had many days with sun, and they can easily find a sunny patch to warm up to thrive.



Small Tortoiseshell 398    (1 photos)
2020-06-19    Ebeltoft, Denmark

Imago




Small Tortoiseshell 1902    (1 photos)
2022-06-16    Kongelundsområdet, Denmark

Imago




Small Tortoiseshell 1001    (2 photos)
2022-07-28    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago




Small Tortoiseshell 1279    (2 photos)
2023-04-02    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago
Pinseskoven.
Finally the first butterflies are starting to emerge. A good handful the last two days.




Small Tortoiseshell 1281    (2 photos)
2023-04-02    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago
Pinseskoven.
This one started out on the ground, but then suddenly flew to the top of this willow. While fluttering about up there, before perching, it looked quite small, and in a brief moment one could have taken it for one of the daytime flying moths, A. parthenias (Birkedagmåler) eller A. notha (Poppeldagmåler). They fly here and should on the wings now too.




Small Tortoiseshell 1347    (1 photos)
2023-04-28    Kongelundsområdet, Denmark

Imago
Worn and pale without the warm orange color. But rather smart!



Small Tortoiseshell 1630    (1 photos)
2023-06-21    Kongelundsområdet, Denmark

Imago
Nordskoven.
The summer generation has started to fly - seen various the last couple of days.




Small Tortoiseshell 2019    (2 photos)
2023-06-25    Tømmerupvej (Tårnby), Denmark

Imago




Small Tortoiseshell 2139    (1 photos)
2023-08-05    Voervadsbro (midtjylland), Denmark

Imago




Small Tortoiseshell 2660    (2 photos)
2024-03-16    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago
Heksegryden, Pinseskoven.

Two different animals of three seen here today. Also saw a Red Admiral that took elevated flight from the ground when I approached - just like the one I had a few days ago in Kongelunden. Urticae always stays low when taking flight.




Small Tortoiseshell 3052    (1 photos)
2024-08-31    Gjerrild (djursland), Denmark

Imago
Kirkegården.
On Stonecrop [Sankthansurt] with a single Red Admiral [Admiral]. Nutritious soils is the root to all good coming.




Small Tortoiseshell 3079    (1 photos)
2025-03-08    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago
Langs kanalen ved pumpehuset.
First day with urticae on the wings, for me. Some ten animals spread out, and several already in doubles focusing on the mating process that is their primary aim from first moment.




Small Tortoiseshell 1286    (1 photos)
2023-04-08    Kongelundsområdet, Denmark

Imago Han & Hun
Chasing each other, I assume them to be male and female. The rear animal, flittering its wings.



Small Tortoiseshell 3080    (1 photos)
2025-03-08    Kongelundsområdet, Denmark

Imago Han & Hun
Gyldenrismarken, Nordskoven.
The rear animal flittering its wings still assuming it to be the male doing so.




Small Tortoiseshell 2707    (2 photos)
2024-05-20    Travbaneparken, Denmark

Larve
About 100 were foraging on the nettles west of the rainwater basins.