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California Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis californica)

The California tortoiseshell belonging to the Nymphalidae family is indigenous to California as well as different parts in the United States.

Scientific Classification

Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Nymphalis
Scientific Name: Nymphalis californica

Description and Identification

Caterpillar

They are small in appearance with a black, spiny body.

Pupa

The pupa is greyish-violet in color, resembling a leaf, often twitching on getting disturbed.

Adult

Sexual Dimorphism: Present

Color and Appearance: When the wings are opened the top of it is orange with large black spots. When the wings are closed it has a grayish and mottled brown appearance similar to a dead leaf. The males have hairier forelegs than females.

Average Wingspan: 3.2-7cm (1 1⁄4–2 3⁄4 inc)

Flight Pattern: Fast and irregular

Eggs

Though sufficient detail is unavailable regarding their eggs, they are deposited in small clusters on the leaves’ undersides and hatched in 4 to 5 days.

Quick Facts
Distribution	British Colombia, Baja California Norte, Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico and also to New York, Michigan, Vermont and Pennsylvania, though rare.
Habitat	Near chapparal growth, brush areas, woodland, and clearings as well as edges of forests
Host Plants	Manzanita flowers
Adult Diet	Flower nectar

Did You Know

This species are known to go through population explosions, causing them to migrate to different regions.
The raven is known to be the commonest prey of the California Tortoiseshell butterfly.