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In spring, the Little Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) places a heap of green eggs on the underside of a leaf of stinging nettles. The "urticae" part of its Latin name refers to this plant species, expressing the close bond of the butterfly to it as a food plant. About 100 eggs make a heap like this one. The eggs show little emerging ribs (or fins?). During few days, the eggs become darker as they mature. Soon the little caterpillars hatch. First, they make a small gray web for their own shelter, where they can safely feed and grow. |
