Compton Tortoiseshell

Nymphalis vaualbum

 Genus Nymphalis
Subfamily True Brushfoots
Family Brushfooted Butterflies
All Massachusetts Species
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Occurrence   Statewide - resident and migrant (from north)
Abundance Variably uncommon to fairly common; maximum hundreds (@ Nantucket!)
Flight Period February 12 - December 26 (mainly late March to mid-October)
Notes The greatest numbers are typically seen in early spring (overwintering adults)
Overwintering Adult (sometimes gregariously)
More info Massachusetts Butterfly Atlas Website
Online movie This species appears in the movie named 'Tortoiseshells' on the Butterfly Photos page.

Compton Tortoiseshell

Photo by Erik Nielsen - 4/13/2003
Oxbow NWR, Harvard

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Compton Tortoiseshell

Photo by Erik Nielsen - 4/13/2003
Oxbow NWR, Harvard

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Compton Tortoiseshell

Photo by Tom Murray - 7/13/2003
Ponkapoag Trail, Randolph

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Compton Tortoiseshell

Photo by Tom Murray - 7/13/2003
Ponkapoag Trail, Randolph

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Compton Tortoiseshell

Photo by Barbara Spencer

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Compton Tortoiseshell

Photo by Barbara Spencer

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Compton Tortoiseshell

Photo by Barbara Spencer - 4/22/2007
Cummington

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Compton Tortoiseshell

Photo by Barbara Spencer - 7/11/2006
Cummington

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