Milbert's tortoiseshell butterfly or Nymphalis milberti
Milbert's tortoiseshell butterflies (Nymphalis milberti) have adapted to rely on stinging nettles as host plants for their caterpillars, and are also known as "nettle tortoiseshel"l butterflies.
Their upper wing surface is dark brown rimmed by a wide ribbon of pale yellow and orange, and with orange cats-eyes near the leading edge of the forewing. The underside is two-tone brown, darker at the base. Wingspan is 1-1/4 to 2 inches.
Milbert's tortoiseshell in May
Twin Lakes
Milbert's tortoiseshell butterfly
basking on nettle stem
Milbert's tortoiseshell caterpillar on nettle
Milbert's tortoiseshell caterpillars eating nettles
Milbert's tortoiseshell in February
