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 25 - 48 of 1418 verified sightings
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
Observation date: Nov 15, 2022
Submitted by: Mcd1198
Region: Fairbanks North Star, Alaska, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Feb 07, 2023
Observation date: Jan 11, 2023
Submitted by: Pokpok_9
Region: Alberta, Canada
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Feb 07, 2023
Observation date: Aug 29, 2006
Submitted by: hiker96
Region: Fairbanks North Star, Alaska, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Feb 07, 2023
Observation date: Apr 19, 2020
Submitted by: SMacAuley
Region: Alberta, Canada
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Feb 07, 2023
Observation date: Sep 03, 2016
Submitted by: Kodama
Region: Alberta, Canada
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jan 28, 2023
Observation date: Apr 28, 2016
Submitted by: jani
Region: Canada
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jan 27, 2023
Observation date: Apr 28, 2016
Submitted by: jani
Region: Canada
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jan 27, 2023
Observation date: Oct 05, 2022
Submitted by: Seth Mueller
Region: St. Louis County, Minnesota, United States
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: Jan 01, 2023
Observation date: Oct 16, 2022
Submitted by: ecogirl234
Region: Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Oct 16, 2022
Observation date: Aug 16, 2017
Submitted by: Liz Osborn
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Sep 23, 2022
Observation date: Sep 21, 2022
Submitted by: rmery
Region: Monroe County, Pennsylvania, United States
Verified by: davidwright
Verified date: Sep 23, 2022
Observation date: Aug 06, 2019
Submitted by: Aat
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Sep 13, 2022
Observation date: Apr 20, 2020
Submitted by: bobscafe
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Sep 10, 2022
Observation date: Apr 03, 2021
Submitted by: CaroB
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Sep 10, 2022
Observation date: Mar 22, 2020
Submitted by: Paul Prappas
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Sep 07, 2022
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