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 1 - 24 of 1409 verified sightings
Observation date: Jun 18, 2015
Submitted by: Tom Dudones
Region: Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Nov 03, 2024
Observation date: Aug 29, 2024
Submitted by: wfellers@yknet.ca
Region: Yukon Territory, Canada
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Nov 02, 2024
Observation date: Aug 14, 2024
Submitted by: ElaineO
Region: Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: Aug 16, 2024
Observation date: Jul 08, 2024
Submitted by: jmgesell
Region: Monroe County, Pennsylvania, United States
Verified by: davidwright
Verified date: Jul 13, 2024
Observation date: Jun 29, 2024
Submitted by: L Reid
Region: Buffalo County, Wisconsin, United States
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: Jun 30, 2024
Observation date: Apr 13, 2024
Submitted by: James Ross
Region: Saskatchewan, Canada
Verified by: alchem30
Verified date: Jun 26, 2024
Observation date: Mar 14, 2024
Submitted by: jimz
Region: Aitkin County, Minnesota, United States
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: Mar 15, 2024
Observation date: Mar 12, 2024
Submitted by: NanSteve
Region: Vilas County, Wisconsin, United States
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: Mar 13, 2024
Observation date: Mar 04, 2024
Submitted by: hockeybruce7
Region: Monroe County, Pennsylvania, United States
Verified by: davidwright
Verified date: Mar 06, 2024
Observation date: May 26, 2023
Submitted by: Gordon Phillips
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Nov 13, 2023
Observation date: Aug 27, 2023
Submitted by: acadiaonmymind
Region: Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 27, 2023
Observation date: Aug 04, 2023
Submitted by: MandiC
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: Aug 05, 2023
Observation date: Jul 16, 2023
Submitted by: HnausaNature
Region: Manitoba, Canada
Verified by: chalicerae
Verified date: Aug 05, 2023
Observation date: Jul 14, 2023
Submitted by: John Terpstra
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: Jul 18, 2023
Observation date: Jul 05, 2023
Submitted by: dlister
Region: Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Jul 05, 2023
Observation date: Jul 01, 2023
Submitted by: Tom Dudones
Region: Franklin County, New York, United States
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: Jul 01, 2023
Observation date: Jun 27, 2023
Submitted by: Jennie Lanzendorf
Region: Sauk County, Wisconsin, United States
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: Jun 27, 2023
Observation date: Jun 10, 2016
Submitted by: Liz T
Region: Manitoba, Canada
Verified by: chalicerae
Verified date: Jun 05, 2023
Observation date: May 29, 2023
Submitted by: dlister
Region: Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: May 29, 2023
Observation date: Apr 27, 2023
Submitted by: Shirley Miller
Region: Saskatchewan, Canada
Verified by: alchem30
Verified date: May 07, 2023
Observation date: May 04, 2023
Submitted by: Bob Jacobson
Region: Chippewa County, Wisconsin, United States
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: May 06, 2023
Observation date: Apr 13, 2021
Submitted by: wildebynature
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Apr 15, 2023
Observation date: Feb 06, 2019
Submitted by: blcres
Region: Alberta, Canada
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Feb 07, 2023
Observation date: Dec 04, 2022
Submitted by: Alaskabunny
Region: Alaska, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Feb 07, 2023
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