California tortoiseshell | |
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Scientific classification
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Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Nymphalidae |
Genus: | Nymphalis |
Species: | N. californica
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Binomial name | |
Nymphalis californica (
Boisduval, 1852)
|
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]
California tortoiseshell | |
---|---|
| |
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
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.
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]