Butterfly populations are a very good indicator of the health of an area's ecosystem !!
Out of gallery
Milbert’s Tortoiseshells are a swift-flying butterfly that prefers woodland edges and along streams and roadsides.
This butterfly is on the wing from April to October, with possibly three overlapping generations.
A quick, active species, it flits rapidly about its territory.
It regularly alights on the ground or on a rock or tree with its wings spread flat.
It feeds mostly on sap, rotting fruit, and animal dung, but is also seen nectaring on flowers.
* There are four subspecies of Tortoiseshell butterflies.
Avg. Wingspan: 4.5 - 6.2 cm / 1.75 - 2.45 "
Diet: adults feed on nectar exclusively.
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta, Order: Lepidoptera
* Being Brush-footed butterflies, Tortoiseshells have a short pair of fore legs that are used to taste food, and two pairs of longer rear legs that are used for propulsion.
The single biggest threat to butterfly survival is habitat destruction!!
