California Tortoiseshell

California Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis californica) is a beautiful medium-sized butterfly found in British Columbia and south along the Pacific Coast to Baja California Norte, east to Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.

The wings feature ragged edges; the upper sides are orange with black spots and a wide black margin. The undersides of the wings are a mottled dark brown and looks like a dead leaf.

Wing spread: 1 1/4" - 2 3/4"

Host plants: wild lilac

California Tortoiseshell Butterfly (dorsal view)

California Tortoiseshell Butterfly

California Tortoiseshell Butterfly (ventral view)

A distant relative ... Milbert's Tortoiseshell Butterfly

Photos by and courtesy of Alan Schmierer