The California tortoiseshell is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae.
Description
''. The underside of the wing resembles a dead leaf. The wings of the California tortoiseshell have ragged edges. The upper sides of the wings are orange with black spots and a wide black margin. The undersides of the wings are a mottled dark brown. Its wingspan varies from 3.2 to 7 cm (– inches). Caterpillars are black with white spots and hairs. Each segment of the body has seven spines. == Ecology ==
Ecology
Larvae eat various species of Ceanothus. == References ==