EARLY Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae 20 larvae SPECIAL PRICE

EARLY Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae
 

Young larvae should preferably be kept on growing Stinging Nettle, covered with a netting sleeve, though they can be reared in plastic rearing containers, cleaned out and fed daily as shown in the All Colour Paperback BUTTERFLIES. Container-reared larvae need to be scrupulously clean and always with very fresh food.

When larger, the larvae can be caged with cut nettle in a jar of water, on on potted growing foodplant. In a matter of weeks the pupae are formed hanging from the cage top, and the butterflies emerge in a little over a fortnight, depending on temperature.

The Small Tortoiseshell has suddenly become scarce where once it was common. By releasing either butterflies or larvae, it might help to bring back this once common butterfly.

The butterflies can be kept in a cage for a few days, with plenty of flowers for nectar, and then released to help the wild populations.