Mourning Cloak Butterfly

Description:

This is a mating pair of mourning cloak butterflies. Adults of this species are dark brown or purplish-black with yellow borders and blue submarginal spots. Wingspan is 57-101 mm.

Habitat:

Range is all of North America south of the tundra, south to central Mexico also occurs in temperate Eurasia. Habitat is usually riparian areas but may be found almost anywhere that host plants occur, including woods, openings, parks, and suburbs. This pair was observed at Stevens Creek Heritage Preserve in McCormick County, SC.

Notes:

One of the earliest butterflies seen in spring, due to the fact that it overwinters as an adult. First-generation adults emerge in early summer, and estivate until fall, when they re-emerge. Larvae eat primarily willow (Salix spp.) but also other trees and shrubs including Cottonwood (Populus deltoides), Trembling Aspen (P. tremuloides), American Elm (Ulmus americana), Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera), and Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis). Adults feed primarily on tree sap (oaks preferred) and rotting fruit; only occasionally on flower nectar. The common name in the British Isles is Camberwell Beauty. The larva is called Spiny Elm Caterpillar. Caution: Do not touch the larva; its spines may cause a stinging sensation if handled.