The NatureSpot Species of the Month for June is this image of a Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly, taken by NatureSpot contributor Andy. More...

Once a fixture of the British summer, the Small Tortoiseshell, Aglais urticae, has declined in numbers over the last few years. This species has always fluctuated in numbers but the cause of a recent decline is not yet known, although various theories have been proposed. One is the increasing presence of a particular parasitic fly, Sturmia bella, due to global warming - this species being common on the continent. For this reason, the Small Tortoiseshell is one of the 100 Indicator Species for the Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), so we need your records whenever you spot one. 

You don't need a fancy camera to take good photos, but read our Photography Help page: https://www.naturespot.org.uk/photography
If you'd like to be a future NatureSpot Species of the Month winner, submit your records!