| ADULT |
Wingspan - 42 - 46mm. The upperwing surfaces are primarily orange and black with a row of blue spots around the wing margins. The underneath is dark grey and brown and provides excellent camouflage. |
| CHRYSALIS |
22mm. Similar to a dead leaf and usually brown in colour although this can be variable. Hatches after 12 days. |
| LARVA |
Black and bristly with two discontinuous yellow lines along each flank. Poisonous. |
| EGG |
Pale green and located underneath nettle leaves. Laid in clusters and hatching within 2 weeks. |
| BEHAVIOUR |
Can be territorial and also have a tendency to bask early in the day. Hibernates during the winter sometimes in large groups. |
| HABITAT |
Almost any habitat from woodland to city centres. |
| FLIGHT PERIOD |
March to October. |
