2-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - LARGE TORTOISESHELL BUTTERFLY (Nymphalis polychloros)

 Butterfly of the family Nymphalidae.

The species is found in North Africa, southern and central Europe, Turkey, southern Russia, the central and southern Urals, Kazakhstan and the Himalayas. In Central Europe they occur in the warmer regions, but have become generally rare. By contrast, they are still common in the Mediterranean and Southern Alps. They live in sparse forests and their edges, on dry shrubbery and in orchards. It is an extreme rarity in Britain, although it used to be widespread throughout England and Wales. Most of the specimens seen in Britain are thought to be captive-bred releases. These butterflies mainly inhabit woodland, especially with sallows (willows). However, there are indications that the large tortoiseshell is recolonising southern England.