Very widespread at lower altitudes but rarely seen in any numbers. In hot weather, in common with other related species, it can be found sitting on branches in the shade amongst the denser the branches of trees.

Easily confused with the very similar, but rarer, Yellow-legged Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis xanthomelas) which seems to have made a come-back in Bulgaria in recent years. Can however be distinguished by several features. The ground colour of the latter species is usually a brighter orange and the pale costal patches on the forewing are white, especially the two nearest the apex. The forelegs are distinctly paler than in the Large Tortoiseshell (hence its vernacular name).