California Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis californica)

Written by Madeline Simon and Stephanie Holbrook

Learn

The California Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis Californica) is a butterfly native from the British Columbia, to Montana, to New Mexico. They can be found in mountainous terrain. This includes areas above the treeline, canyons, riparian areas, orchards, parks, and gardens.

With a beautiful black, orange, brown, and white body, the California Tortoiseshells are mass migrants and can be seen in the emerging in large groups from high altitude areas like high southern Sierra, and sometimes in the Cascades. The lifespan of the California Tortoiseshell is around 10 months as an adult. Due to their “short” lifespan the female butterflies of this species are not very selective with their mating partners. They flutter in brush areas while searching for a strong male mate, who is usually perched waiting for their arrival. During April and May, is when most California Tortoiseshells lay their eggs, just in time for the brooding season. As butterflies, they will visit flowers, sap, fruit, and mud for energy.

Grow

The host plants for this incredible butterfly are lilacs and nettle, both Keystone species. Each one of these hosts plants are important for our earth, butterflies and humans.

Lilacs, also known as Ceanothus, are a keystone species in California because they support a wide range of local wildlife. California lilacs provide berries that nourish birds and insects, and their seeds are eaten by quail. Their flowers also provide nectar for butterflies, bees, and birds. The dense blooms of California lilacs can be seen in early spring throughout the hills. These plants provide essential shelter for birds, which helps to increase local biodiversity. Lilacs are also fire resistant, drought tolerant, and help stabilize banks. We have partners with live plants, let us know if you would like to order.

Stinging Nettle, is a host plant for the California Tortoiseshell and grows profilically throughout the United States. Although considered a weed by many, this plant is beneficial to nature and humans. Nettles have multiple health benefits that have been used medicinally since at least the times of Ancient Greece. Several Urtica species have been widely used to treat rheumatism and sciatica, asthma, coughs, dandruff, diabetes, diarrhea, eczema, fever, gout, hemorrhoids, nose bleeds, scurvy, snake bites, and tuberculosis. source It also used a food with a taste similar to spinach. Stinging Nettles is a perennial herb and should be harvested when young with protection from the fine hairs. It can be eaten in salads, stir fries, pestos and more. It contains vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidant compounds, and has anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious, and analgesic properties. Buy seeds here.

Change

Our seed of the month is California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum), a shrub native to California, the Southwestern United States, and northwestern Mexico. California buckwheat can thrive in challenging soils and areas, such as high pH soils, decomposed granites, and serpentine. It can also help stabilize slopes and restore natural areas. California buckwheat’s showy white flowers bloom from May to October and turn mahogany in the fall, making it a good choice for environmental enhancement. California buckwheat’s nectar-rich flowers attract many pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. One study identified 31 species of bees visiting the plant, including eight that are important crop pollinators. Planting California buckwheat near crops as part of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program can help control insect pests.

Native peoples, such as the Kumeyaay and Chumash, used California buckwheat for food and medicine. The seeds can be eaten raw, and the leaves and roots can be used to make tea or poultices. For example, the Cahuilla drank leaf tea for headaches and stomach pain, and hot root tea for colds and laryngitis.

CONCLUSION:
In order to maintain the lives of the California tortoiseshell, it is important to understand not only the butterfly itself but also the environment that makes them flourish. Their host plants are lilacs, and stinging nettles. They mate during April and May. The California Tortoiseshell Butterfly uses mud, fruit, and nectar for energy.