Compton Tortoiseshell
Nymphalis vaualbum (Denis and Schiffermüller)
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Nymphalinae
Identification: Upperside is orange-brown with darker wing bases and black spots; a single white spot on leading edge of each wing. Underside is mottled gray and brown, with dark bases and borders; hindwing with small white V at outer end of cell.
Wing Span: 2 1/2 - 3 1/16 inches (6.4 - 7.8 cm).
Life History: Eggs are laid in clumps on the host plant, and caterpillars feed together. Adults hibernate, sometimes in groups.
Flight: One brood lay eggs of the next generation, which flies from July-November before hibernating.
Caterpillar Hosts: Aspen and cottonwood (Populus), willows (Salix), gray birch (Betula populifolia), and paper birch (B. papyrifera).
Adult Food: Sap, rotting fruit, nectar of willow flowers.
Habitat: Upland deciduous or coniferous forests.
Range: Southeast Alaska and Canada south in the mountains to Montana and Wyoming; east across southern Canada and the northern United States to New England; south to North Carolina and Missouri. Rare migrants to Newfoundland, Nebraska, and Florida. This species is also found in temperate Eurasia.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 97 - 120 of 1424 verified sightings
Observation date: Aug 22, 2021
Submitted by: rapids
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: Aug 24, 2021
Observation date: Aug 19, 2021
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 20, 2021
Observation date: Aug 14, 2021
Submitted by: ESCB2
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: Aug 20, 2021
Observation date: Aug 15, 2021
Submitted by: Ssneed
Region: Kalkaska County, Michigan, United States
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: Aug 16, 2021
Observation date: Apr 02, 2021
Submitted by: Jacksenzig
Region: Juneau County, Wisconsin, United States
Verified by: Tom Middagh
Verified date: Aug 07, 2021
Observation date: Jul 19, 2017
Submitted by: bshettler
Region: Manitoba, Canada
Verified by: chalicerae
Verified date: Jul 26, 2021
Observation date: Jul 19, 2021
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 22, 2021
Observation date: Jul 12, 2021
Submitted by: rapids
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: Jul 16, 2021
Observation date: Jul 13, 2021
Submitted by: Jacksonfarme
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: Jul 14, 2021
Observation date: Jul 07, 2021
Submitted by: John Terpstra
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: Jul 08, 2021
Observation date: Jul 04, 2021
Submitted by: kristasessions
Region: Tompkins County, New York, United States
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: Jul 06, 2021
Observation date: Jul 02, 2021
Submitted by: kcdemille
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: Jul 02, 2021
Observation date: Jun 20, 2021
Submitted by: Ed Rothwell
Region: Ingham County, Michigan, United States
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: Jun 21, 2021
Observation date: Jun 16, 2021
Submitted by: mbroen
Region: St. Croix County, Wisconsin, United States
Verified by: Tom Middagh
Verified date: Jun 16, 2021
Observation date: Aug 08, 2020
Submitted by: kcdemille
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: Jun 05, 2021
Observation date: May 17, 2021
Submitted by: Ed Rothwell
Region: Kalkaska County, Michigan, United States
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: May 19, 2021
Observation date: Apr 27, 2021
Submitted by: John Terpstra
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: May 17, 2021
Observation date: Mar 21, 2021
Submitted by: DoreeAnne
Region: Manitoba, Canada
Verified by: chalicerae
Verified date: Apr 23, 2021
Observation date: Apr 09, 2021
Submitted by: ellenjones6
Region: Franklin County, New York, United States
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: Apr 11, 2021
Observation date: Mar 30, 2021
Submitted by: ellenjones6
Region: Franklin County, New York, United States
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: Apr 09, 2021
Observation date: Apr 05, 2021
Submitted by: Nancy Turner
Region: Crawford County, Michigan, United States
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: Apr 08, 2021
Observation date: Apr 05, 2021
Submitted by: Nancy Turner
Region: Crawford County, Michigan, United States
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: Apr 08, 2021
Observation date: Mar 25, 2021
Submitted by: rarecat
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: Apr 08, 2021
Observation date: Apr 08, 2021
Submitted by: Heather Webster YOW
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: Apr 08, 2021
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