California tortoiseshell
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The California tortoiseshell (Nymphalis californica) is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae.
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 (<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1+1⁄4–<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />2+3⁄4 inches).[1][2]
Caterpillars are black with white spots and hairs. Each segment of the body has seven spines. They eat various species of Ceanothus.[1]
This butterfly is known for having irregular population explosions.[1] Ravens commonly prey on California tortoiseshells in population explosions during outbreak years.[3]