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Mourning Cloak Butterfly

Nymphalis antiopa

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40.8684, -75.608

Field Notes

Description:

Family: Nymphalidae. Brush-footed butterflies. Wingspan: 6.2 -7.5 cm (2.44 - 3 inches) long. Upper side of wings are very dark red with a bright yellowish-white border (like a petticoat). Dark band of bright blue or purple spots depending on the sunlight. Adult food: Mostly tree sap. Hosts: Mostly willow trees.

Habitat:

Open woodlands at state park. Deciduous and Evergreen Trees near 7 mile long lake. Beltzville State Park, PA

Notes:

Overwinters as an adult. Hibernates in trees and crevices. Frozen alive!! One of the first butterflies to appear in very early spring even when snow is on the ground. (93.50% of my spots I walk out my door and discover.) The butterfly was in the woods and then flew up in the air and landed right near my feet on the walking path so I could get a short video. HA!

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (12)

I'm so glad for you new season Carol - ready and waiting :) Our recent bug season has been awful.
So pretty!
well still a great number...I think only about 5 of mine are so far! mot of the others have been at least 10 hours on a plane and a few hundred kms on a bumpy dirt track road haha :s
Debbie, I actually just counted the spots within walking distance. 951/1,017. I was wrong. 93.5%. HA! LOL! (Mostly fungi)
ohhh I see. well you do manage to find some great spottings anyway :)
Spring is in the air! Nice Carol. My dad said he saw a black butterfly yesterday. I thought of the Mourning Cloak, now I know it was that if you saw one too, not too far away.
Debbie Stewart, You are paying attention. It is a little joke 98.314. 3.14 is my youngest son's favorite number, one of his favorite movies (Life of Pi) and a friend's favorite movie too. HA! I have been here 2 years and 2 months. So much to see. Thanks Ric3 and Forest Dragon. U all have such nice things to say.
Great colors.
Beautiful spot snowy...Ps can I come and live at yours if you have that many spots on your doorstep ;)
One of my favorites because they are so early! Really nice series, Carol!

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