# 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! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 164 - **Habitat:** Woodlands and gardens - **Also known as:** Camberwell Beauty, Nymphalis antiopa ![Mourning Cloak](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425905/objects/5481.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Nymphalis ## 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 - **Winter Warrior:** Mourning Cloaks can survive winter as adults because they produce an antifreeze-like chemical in their blood. - **First Flier:** Mourning Cloaks emerge very early in spring, often before other butterflies, by warming up in the sun. - **Tree Sap Sipper:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-elm) (*Ulmus americana*) — Caterpillars feed on leaves. - **Eats:** [Quaking Aspen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/quaking-aspen) (*Populus tremuloides*) — Caterpillars feed on leaves. - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Birds prey on caterpillars. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Hibernating](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/hibernating): Hibernating animals enter a state of metabolic depression during cold periods or when food is scarce, characterized by reduced body temperature and activity. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Mourning Cloak? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Mourning Cloak's wingspan? 70-100 mm ### How big is Mourning Cloak? 70-100 mm ### How long does Mourning Cloak live? 150-330 days ### How fast can Mourning Cloak fly? 20 km/h ### What does Mourning Cloak eat? Adults feast on tree sap and rotting fruit; caterpillars munch on various tree leaves. ### Where is Mourning Cloak usually found? Woodlands and gardens ### How does Mourning Cloak hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Ambler Heights Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ambler-heights-historic-district) — Ohio, US · Historic District - [Arroyo Conejo Open Space](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arroyo-conejo-open-space) — California, US · Park - [Barrio De Analco Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/barrio-de-analco-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/blackhand-gorge-state-nature-preserve) — Ohio, US · Nature Reserve - [Blake Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/blake-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Cedarmere-Clayton Estates](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cedarmere-clayton-estates) — New York, US · Historic District [View all places to see Mourning Cloak](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/mourning-cloak) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Mourning Cloak: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mourning-cloak)