California Tortoiseshell
Nymphalis californica
This species is famous for 'population explosions' where millions migrate together, sometimes becoming thick enough to disrupt traffic.
- Scientific name
- Nymphalis californica
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Lepidoptera › Nymphalidae › Nymphalis
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Coniferous forests, mountain canyons, and chaparral shrublands.
- Diet
- Adults feed on flower nectar, tree sap, and rotting fruit; larvae feed exclusively on Ceanothus leaves.
- Range
- British Columbia, California, Oregon, Washington, Baja California, Rocky Mountains
- Size
- Wingspan of 4.5 to 7.0 cm (1.75 to 2.75 inches)
- Lifespan
- 6 to 10 months
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat fragmentation and the use of broad-spectrum pesticides in forest management.
- Safe to approach?
- Completely harmless to humans. These butterflies are best enjoyed through binoculars as they bask on rocks or mud-puddle. Avoid touching their wings, as this can remove the delicate scales necessary for flight and thermoregulation.
The California tortoiseshell ( Nymphalis californica ) is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae.
Photo: Shirley Morrison, CC0, via iNaturalist
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