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| UK Status |
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| Resident |
A species which is continually Resident in the UK with stable breeding populations. |
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| Migrant |
A species which occurs as a Migrant in the UK. It may be able to breed here although they are usually unable to survive our winter months. Migrants are normally reported in the UK every year. |
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| Rare Migrant |
A species which occurs as a Rare Migrant in the UK. It may able to breed here although they are usually unable to survive our winter months. Rare Migrants may not be seen for many years. |
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| Extinct |
A species which is Extinct in the UK, usually as a result of habitat loss. |
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| Introduction |
A species which ocurs in the UK as an accidental introduction. |
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Description
The Large Tortoiseshell is similar in appearance to the Small Tortoiseshell although it is less brightly coloured and as the name suggests is somewhat larger. The undersides are dark with cryptic patterns, again similar to the undersides of a Small Tortoiseshell.
Large Tortoiseshell's are seen mainly in spring after they have emerged from hibernation. They are often seen feeding on the flowering catkins of Willow trees. They are also seen in late summer before they hibernate for the winter. During the main summer months the species lives as larvae feeding on a wide variety of shrubs and trees.
Habitat
The Large Tortoiseshell generally occurs in clearings and around the edges of mature deciduous woodland where Willow is abundant. The flowers in early spring are an important food source for Large Tortoiseshell butterflies following hibernation.
Larval Food Plants
The Large Tortoiseshell feeds on variety of shrubs and trees including the leaves of Wych Elm (Ulmus glabra) Willow (Salix spp.) Aspen (Populus tremula) Poplar (Populus spp.), and Birch (Betula spp.). |
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| Distribution |
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The Large Tortoiseshell has been officially recognised as being extinct in Britain since c1953 although there are still regular sightings (confirmed by photographs) and these seem to be increasing raising the hope that this butterfly may have survived in small numbers and is slowly making a come back.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Due to unofficial or accidental releases by butterfly breeders who import eggs and larvae from dealers from outside the UK, it is impossible to tell at present if there are self sustaining breeding colonies present in Britain or if the reported sightings are of released captive bred individuals. Sadly this practice makes the possible conservation of this species if if does persist in very low numbers very difficult and understanding the true nature of the distribution and habitat requirements of the Large Tortoiseshell in the UK almost impossible. Some sightings are also thought to be of naturally occuring migrants from mainland Europe. |
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| Where to see the Large Tortoiseshell |
| The Large Tortoiseshell has been officially recognised as being extinct in Britain since the early 1980's although there are still regular sightings (confirmed by photographs) and these seem to be increasing raising the hope that this butterfly may have survived in small numbers and is slowly making a come back. |
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| Population Trends |
| species status |
the Large Tortoiseshell is a extinct species in Britain |
| population trend1 |
(1995-2004)  not applicable |
(1976-2004) not applicable |
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1Fox, R., Asher. J., Brereton. T., Roy, D & Warren, M.
(2006) The State of Butterflies in Britain & Ireland, Pices, Oxford. |
| UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Status |
| UK BAP status2 |
not applicable (link) |
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| 2 For more information about the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species status, visit www.ukbap.org.uk. |
| IUCN Category Status |
| IUCN category3 |
 regionally extinct4 |
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3 Fox, R., Warren, M & Brereton, T.
(2007) New Red List of British Butterflies. Butterfly Conservation, Wareham.
4 More information about IUCN categories available here. |
| Find Out More Online* |
| More information about the Large Tortoiseshell can be found on Peter Eeles excellent UK Butterflies web site. |
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Aberrations and Forms |
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| We currently know of 2 named aberrant forms of the Large Tortoiseshell. More information about aberrants can be found here. |
 ab. cassubiensis - Heinrich (1910) |
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| ab. testudo - Esper (1777) |
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| References |
| The information on this web site comes from a variety of freely available resources including books, academic reports and web sites alongside my own personal observations of butterflies. The species descriptions are currently in the process of being edited (spring 2009) to include new data, recent personal observations and referencing following a major update to the site.
A complete list of references mentioned in the text on this web site is available here. |
| * External Links Disclaimer |
| This web site includes links to information provided by external web sites which are not in any way under the control of www.britishbutterflies.co.uk. We cannot, therefore, be held responsible for the content of external web pages. |
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68-75mm
