SMALL TORTOISESHELL Aglais urticae
Although the maps do not seem to show it, this species undergoes considerable fluctuation in numbers; some years it may be exceedingly abundant in the autumn and then periods of comparative scarcity may follw, even of several years' duration. Currently (2011) it seems to be making a recovery from such a period of scarcity. It is tolerant of agricultural land, provided there are some nettle patches, and also favours patches of waste land in towns as well as more semi-natural biotopes.
THE THREE PERIODS COMPARED
PERIOD 1 (1940-1994) WITH RECORDING COVERAGE, ALTITUDE AND URBAN COVER
PERIOD 2 (1995-2000) WITH RECORDING COVERAGE, ALTITUDE AND URBAN COVER
