Tortoiseshell Butterflies

More Brushfooted Butterflies Admirals American Snout Checkerspots Comma Butterflies Common Buckeye Crescents Empress Leila Fritillaries Monarch Butterfly Queen Butterfly Types of Butterflies

Tortoiseshell butterflies are a small group of brush-footed butterflies.

Only three species, California, Compton and Milbert's, are found with any regularity across the United States.

The California Tortoiseshell, in the above picture, resides along the West Coast of the United States.

They are one of many orange colored butterflies. The black border that surrounds the wings is one helpful identification trait.

Also of identification note are the black dots at the top of the wings.

California Tortoiseshells are one of the first butterflies to arrive in spring.

Milbert's Tortoiseshell butterflies are the most widespread of the group, having an extensive West and East coast range.

Compton Tortoiseshell butterflies are found spordically across the norther tier of the United States.

© 2002 Patricia A. Michaels