Species of the Month: September 2016

Small Tortoiseshell: Aglais urticae

 

Small Tortoiseshell has always been considered one the quintessential signs of British summertime, but unfortunately the species has drastically declined since the 1970s. It was hoped the species was making a recovery in recent years, but there have been poor numbers recorded during the summer of 2016. Butterfly Conservation are concerned by this trend, and have requested increased recording of the species in the last few weeks of butterfly season.

More information about Small Tortoiseshell is available from Butterfly Conservation. You can view the Welsh distribution on Aderyn here.

If you spot Small Tortoiseshell during September (or at any other time of year), please send us the record, ideally via  SEWBReCORD or the LERC Wales App. Instructions on how to submit records are available here.