Mourning Cloak

[Nymphalis antiopa*

Description
The Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) is one of the most widely distributed butterflies in the Northern Hemisphere, found across North America, Europe, and temperate Asia. Known as the Camberwell Beauty in Britain, this striking butterfly is easily recognised by its deep purplish-brown wings bordered with a bright yellow band and a row of blue spots. It is among the longest-lived butterflies, with adults surviving up to 11 months.

Identification Tips

• Wings are deep purplish-brown to maroon with a distinctive bright yellow marginal band.
• Inside the yellow band is a row of small, iridescent blue spots.
• Underside of wings is dark grey to black, providing excellent camouflage when resting.
• Wingspan: 6.5–8 cm.
• One of the earliest butterflies to appear in spring, as it overwinters as an adult.

Life Cycle & Behavior
The Mourning Cloak undergoes complete metamorphosis. Females lay clusters of eggs encircling twigs of host trees. The caterpillars are black with white speckles and a row of red spots along the back, and they are highly gregarious in early instars. The chrysalis is greyish-brown and hangs from a branch. Adults emerge in late summer, feed briefly, then enter hibernation in hollow trees or unheated buildings. They emerge on warm days in late winter or early spring to mate and lay eggs. This remarkable longevity makes them unique among temperate butterflies.

Host Plants & Habitat

• Caterpillar Host Plants: Willows (Salix), elms (Ulmus), poplars (Populus), and hackberry (Celtis).
• Adult Food Sources: Tree sap, rotting fruit, and occasionally nectar from willow catkins and asters.
• Habitat: Woodland edges, riparian areas, parks, and gardens. Widespread across temperate regions of North America, Europe, and Asia.

Conservation Status
Not Evaluated (IUCN). The Mourning Cloak remains common throughout most of its vast range.

Deep purplish-brown wings with yellow marginal band and row of blue spots. Dark grey underside. Long-lived, overwinters as adult.

Similar Species

*No similar species recorded yet.*

Related Species

* Other species in this family (to be linked manually).