California tortoiseshell

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California tortoiseshell
California Tortoiseshell, Blue Diamond, NV, US imported from iNaturalist photo 76469538.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Nymphalis
Species:
N. californica
Binomial name
Nymphalis californica
(Boisduval, 1852)

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

Contents

Description

On Sorbus sitchensis. The underside of the wing resembles a dead leaf. Nymphalis californica 1148.JPG
On Sorbus sitchensis . The underside of the wing resembles a dead leaf.

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. [1]

Ecology

Larvae 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]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 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.


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