The Small Tortoiseshell is among the most well known butterflies in Britain and Ireland.  The striking and attractive patterning, and its appearance at almost any time of the year in urban areas have made it a familiar species.  It is one of the first butterflies to be seen in spring and in the autumn it often visits garden flowers in large numbers.  The Small Tortoiseshell is one of our most widespread species and has shown little overall change in range.