26 Mourning Cloak

Nymphalis antiopa

Characteristics

Wingspan: 3–3.5 in (76–88 mm).

Flight season: March–October.

Nectar sources: Willows, scabious, and knapweeds.

Habitat: Open woodland, forest edge, parks, gardens.

With its deep-maroon-red upperwings, bordered with cream or white, and with a row of blue spots, the mourning cloak is unmistakeable. Its underwings are gray or brown, bordered white, and the sexes are alike. The first two specimens of this beautiful butterfly to be described were found at Camberwell, London, in 1748. Sadly the species is only an occasional visitor to the UK, where it is known as the Camberwell beauty. Native to northern Eurasia and North America, in Europe some populations migrate south in fall.

In parts of Scandinavia or southern Canada, these are the first butterflies to be seen in early spring. They may emerge from hibernation while snow is still lying on the ground and before trees have come into bud. Since the adults feed mostly on tree sap and rotting fruit, their role as pollinators is not as great as many other butterflies, but they can sometimes be seen nectaring at willow or knapweed flowers. The caterpillars eat the leaves of willows, elms, hackberries, and hawthorns.