Compton Tortoise Shell
Nymphalis l-album (Esper, 1781)
Family: Nymphalidae
Status: Rare stray (possibly breeding) or resident.
NENHP Ranking: SH
Range: Its home range includes much of southern Canada and the northern United States from coast to coast. From there it wanders both to the north and south.
Larval Hostplant(s): The following hostplants can be found in Nebraska: Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera), Willows (Salix species), Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides), and American Elm (Ulmus americana)
Broods/Flight Times: One mid-late summer flight which overwinters into the following spring. The few Nebraska records are from mid-June to late July.
Overwintering: As adults.
Habitat: Forested areas.
Avg. Wingspan: 2 1/2 – 3 1/16 inches
Found at: Niobrara Valley Preserve, Gilbert-Baker SWMA
Similar Species: Mourning Cloak, Milbert’s Tortoise Shell, Anglewings (Polygonia species)
Notes: If indeed a stray, one of a very few butterflies that stray here from the north.
Compton Tortoise Shell, Matthew Brust
