Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1276643

California Tortoiseshell
Nymphalis californica

Observation date: October 02, 2020
Submitted by: NMElaine
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: 1st observation of this species in the autumn for me. I was stunned to come across a puddle party of 15 CA Tortoiseshells, 2 Canyonland Satyrs, and 12 Red-bordered Satyrs simultaneously at the only water in Little Cherry Creek Canyon. Naturally as soon as I tried to photograph this amazing collection, raising my camera spooked most of the butterflies. This is a phenomenal year for Tortoiseshells; I have never seen more than 1 per year (rarely, and in the spring) in the Pinos Altos Mts. Red-bordered Satyrs are also astonishingly abundant this year. I estimate that I saw perhaps 50 during a 4.5 miles hike. This is an unusually warm (T ~80 deg) and dry autumn thus far in SW NM. I suspect that there were probably 30 CA Tortoiseshells seen during my hike, once I started taking note on the trip back to the trailhead.
Status: Resident
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: October 13, 2020
Coordinator notes: Elaine, thanks for the great shots and great detail on your observations. Last October, they were abundant on the east slope of the Sierras in CA. they do have a regular fall brood that overwinters, then flies again in spring, but it is not always as abundant as you describe. A drought often focus butterfly activity at the few remaining wet spots!
Checklist region(s): United States, New Mexico, Grant County