Compton Tortoiseshell
Common NameCompton Tortoiseshell
Scientific NameNymphalis vaualbum
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyNymphalinae
Wingspan (mm)65
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsorange, black, brown, white
HabitatDeciduous and mixed forests, forest edges, clearings, open woodlands
Geographic RangeNorth America (eastern Canada, northern US), Europe, Asia
Host Plantswillow, birch, elm, aspen, hackberry
Flight PeriodApril to August (overwintering adults)
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesAdults emerge in summer, feed, and then overwinter in sheltered locations before emerging in spring to mate and lay eggs. Larvae are spiny and dark, feeding on various trees and shrubs, and pupate into angular, cryptic chrysalises.
Identification TipsLook for the distinctive ragged wing margins, the orange and black spotted pattern on the upperside, and the prominent white spot near the forewing apex. The underside is cryptic, resembling bark, and often shows a small 'L' or 'V' shaped mark on the hindwing.
Description
A medium-sized butterfly with ragged, scalloped wing margins, featuring an orange-brown upperside heavily marked with prominent black spots and patches, and a distinctive white spot near the apex of each forewing.
