Mourning Cloak

Nymphalis antiopa

The Mourning Cloak is a striking butterfly that is dark brown with bright blue spots. It is one of the earliest butterflies to appear in spring!

Habitat: Woodlands and gardens

Appearance

The Mourning Cloak has distinctive deep maroon or purple-brown wings, edged with a broad, irregular yellow or cream border. A row of iridescent blue spots separates the dark inner wing from the lighter margin, making it visually unique among common butterflies.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyNymphalidaeGenusNymphalis

Mourning Cloak

Interesting facts

Adult Mourning Cloaks hide perfectly by blending into tree bark when resting.

Mourning Cloak caterpillars are spiky black with red dots, living in large groups.

Their scientific name, 'antiopa', comes from an ancient Greek mythological queen.

They are often the first butterfly you'll spot fluttering after winter thaws!

Special abilities

Mourning Cloaks can survive winter as adults because they produce an antifreeze-like chemical in their blood.

Mourning Cloaks emerge very early in spring, often before other butterflies, by warming up in the sun.

This butterfly prefers fermenting tree sap and rotting fruit for energy, instead of only flower nectar.

Measurements & details

Wingspan: 70-100 mm
Size: 70-100 mm
Lifespan: 150-330 days
Flight Speed: 20 km/h
Leg Count: 6

Diet & Feeding

Adults feast on tree sap and rotting fruit; caterpillars munch on various tree leaves.

Age differences: Adults feed on tree sap and fruit, while larvae (caterpillars) feed exclusively on the leaves of specific trees.

Primary Foods

Tree sap
Rotting fruit
Willow leaves
Elm leaves
Birch leaves

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eats

White Willow

Salix alba

Caterpillars feed on leaves.

eats

American Elm

Ulmus americana

Caterpillars feed on leaves.

eats

Quaking Aspen

Populus tremuloides

Caterpillars feed on leaves.

eaten by

Blue Jay

Cyanocitta cristata

Birds prey on caterpillars.

Traits

Wildlife

Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.

Herbivorous

This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.

Ancient Lineage

This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.

Forest

Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

Hibernating

Hibernating animals enter a state of metabolic depression during cold periods or when food is scarce, characterized by reduced body temperature and activity.