Large Tortoiseshell

Aglais polychloros

Former breeder in Britain.

These medium to large Butterflies have orange to red wings with black and yellow patches.

Both wings with yellowish submarginal lunules, upon which follows a black band which is likewise composed of lunules and bears on the hindwing small blue spots.

The underside of the wings is smoky brown with darker shades and black transverse pencilling.

There is no sexual dimorphism.

This species looks very similar to the Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae), but it is more closely related to the Camberwell Beauty and Nymphalis xanthomelas.

Regular vagrant from Europe, North Africa & Western Asia.