Mourning Cloak
Nymphalis antiopa
Photo by Erik Karits
Summary
It can seem almost unbelievable on a frigid winter’s day, but the mourning cloak spends the winter as an adult butterfly, tucking itself away underneath loose tree bark, or even in unheated buildings. Thus, it’s one of the earliest butterflies seen in the spring, and may even be spotted flying during warm spells in January or February. This allows the mourning cloak to be first in line at the buffet of its favorite food—tree sap—as it begins its seasonal rise. Larvae feed in webs on hardwood trees such as willows, poplars and hackberry. After pupating, they emerge in midsummer to feed for a time before going dormant again (estivation) until the cooler days of autumn.
More Details
FAMILY
Nymphalidae (Brushfoots)
IDENTIFICATION
Wingspan 2.25-4 inches. Maroon-brown with yellow borders and iridescent blue spots. Nothing similar found in Pennsylvania.
HABITAT
Woodlands, forest edges, and parks.
LIFE CYCLE
Egg laid on upper surface of host plant. Caterpillar: Distinctive row of reddish-orange dots along its back with bright red prolegs. Pupa: This stage features a beak-like structure, tubercles, and horns that emerge from the head. Adult: Estivates in late summer to preserve body fat. Attracted to sap and rotting fruit. Overwinters as adult.
HOST PLANTS
Many broadleaf trees, including elms (Ulmus) and Willows (Salix)
Ecosystem Connections
The caterpillars are herbivores that graze on vegetation, and adults serve a role in pollination. All life stages provide food for predators. Because butterflies are so sensitive to toxins and disturbances in the environment, they are good indicators of the overall health of ecosystems.