California tortoiseshell

California tortoiseshell
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Nymphalis
Species:
N. californica
Binomial name
Nymphalis californica
(Boisduval, 1852)
On Sorbus sitchensis. The underside of the wing resembles a dead leaf.

The California tortoiseshell (Nymphalis californica) is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae.

The wings of the California tortoiseshell have ragged edges. The upper sides of the wings are orange with black spots and a wide black margin. The undersides of the wings are a mottled dark brown. Its wingspan varies from 3.2 to 7 cm (1+1⁄4–2+3⁄4 inches).[1][2]

Caterpillars are black with white spots and hairs. Each segment of the body has seven spines. They eat various species of Ceanothus.[1]

This butterfly is known for having irregular population explosions.[1] Ravens commonly prey on California tortoiseshells in population explosions during outbreak years.[3]

  1. ^ a b c Will, Kip; Gross, Joyce; Rubinoff, Daniel; Powell, Jerry A. (2020). Field Guide to California Insects. Oakland, California: University of California Press. p. 414. ISBN 9780520288744.
  2. ^ California Tortoiseshell Nymphalis californica (Boisduval, 1852)
  3. ^ Hendricks, Paul (2005). "Common Ravens Capturing Adult California Tortoiseshell Butterflies". Northwestern Naturalist. 86 (2): 81–82. doi:10.1898/1051-1733(2005)086[0081:CRCACT]2.0.CO;2.