Butterflies are a beautiful and an important part of the UK’s wildlife. The Small Tortoiseshell is among the most well-known butterflies in Britain and Ireland. The striking and attractive patterning and its appearance have made it a familiar species. The Butterfly Conservation priority is low , for this species but there is concern over recent decades.

The reason we have created our series of British butterflies, is to highlight their huge decline over the last four decades. The UK has 59 species of butterflies – 57 resident species and two regular migrants – the Painted Lady and Clouded Yellow. Five species of butterfly have become extinct in the last 150 years, including the Large Tortoiseshell. Over half of all British butterflies have been placed on the latest UK Red Extinction List of species. Furthermore, the latest red list assessment of butterflies published in May 2022 revealed 26% more butterflies are threatened with extinction.

Please follow the link below to find out more about the red list assessment, provided by the butterfly conservation org.

https://butterfly-conservation.org/news-and-blog/half-of-british-butterfly-species-on-new-red-list

A further link to provide information and facts on the Small Tortoiseshell

https://butterfly-conservation.org/butterflies/small-tortoiseshell

We make our orders once they have been placed, so when we send out our art/plant supports they will be in their steel form (silver) ready to start rusting. The steel will start oxidising out in your garden, creating a beautiful and natural rusty patina - it’s actually nice to watch!

Butterfly wing span approx 17cm

Total Height 90-100cm

Please note all sizes are approximate

Our Drawings and Designs carry a copyright © 2022