Small tortoiseshell

The Small Tortoiseshell is one of our most-familiar butterflies appearing in gardens. Its beautiful patterning, comprising of black patches, areas of bright yellowish-orange and a fringe of blue spots around both the hind and forewings. The sexes are similar in appearance. The caterpillar, which reaches 22 mm in length, has a black head, a largely black body with tiny white spots, and black or yellowish spines on the back and sides. Along each side there are two broken yellow bands.