Museum Hours: 1pm to 5pm / 10am to 5pm (July/Aug) more... Nymphalis antiopa, commonly known as the “mourning cloak butterfly” are a deep red butterfly with a cream white border and elongated blue ovals along the edge of their wings. They are one of the most widely spread butterflies in North America.....found throughout the U.S., Canada, Alaska, and Mexico. [59] [60]. The Mourning Cloak is a common butterfly of the Rocky Mountains with a unique winter survival strategy. Its wings are a dark brown color with cream around the tips of the wings and blue spots next to that. Interpretive Naturalist, Paul Smith's College Native Species Butterfly House. Both data sets share a common problem of citizen science: reported trends may reflect trends in the number of observers and their willingness to submit reports, not the abundance of the butterfly in question. Peter W. Hall, Colin D. Jones, Antonia Guidotti, and Brad Hubley. Butterflies and Moths of North America. An average butterfly species has an adult life of 2-4 weeks, or less. Vermont Butterfly Survey. Species Logbooks. The Mourning Cloak has a lifespan of 11-12 months, one of the most extensive lifespans for any butterfly. When the weather is cool, Mourning Cloaks, like many other butterflies, warm themselves through basking, usually on the ground with their wings open. [22] The caterpillar is about two inches long. Each spring the adult butterflies find mates, and around midsummer young butterflies are out and about. I remember finding these butterflies on the trails when we went hiking and also around our house near Salt Lake City. Butterfly Atlas Species Accounts. They reappear when the first warm days occur each year. The Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) is a large, dark maroon butterfly with a cream band seen in the Adirondacks in early spring, summer, and early fall. [45] Mourning Cloaks sometimes emerge from their sheltered nooks on warm winter days, tolerating the winter cold by shivering to raise their body temperature. Government of Canada. Adult Mourning Cloaks emerge from hibernation in April. The caterpillar, representing the second state in the life cycle, hatches from the egg. This hardy butterfly has a unique strategy, as far as butterflies are concerned, for the cold Rocky Mountain winters. [19], The caterpillarCaterpillar: Butterflies and moths develop through a process called metamorphosis, which entails four states: eggs, caterpillar (larva), pupa, and adult. Mourning Cloaks feed with their head downward. BAMONA lists 93 verified sightings of Mourning Cloaks in New York State; 16 are in one of the twelve counties with area within the Adirondack Park. Our Museum is a portal to the past. McFarland, Kent P. and Bryan Pfeiffer. My kids and I love finding butterflies when we are out exploring nature. White: Symbolizes spiritual growth and wisdom, helping you to follow the right path. The Mourning Cloak is a relatively large butterfly with a 3 inch wingspan. varies with latitude and altitude, with one brood in the northern parts of the Mourning Cloak's Range and two or three in the southern areas. The Mourning Cloak chrysalisChrysalis: The hard outer shell of a pupa. [46] [47] Some sources indicate that a portion of the population migrates southward. Ulysses: It reminds you not to get disturbed by any random events occurring in your life and look straight ahead at your goals. Chrysalis: The hard outer shell of a pupa. of the Mourning Cloak is black with a row of eight red/orange patches down the back. I receive a tiny percent of any purchases you make through these links. [41] [42]. Its primary activity is eating. Mourning Cloaks fly in Massachusetts from late March to late October. This butterfly is found throughout the continent south to central Mexico. Newly-born caterpillars are very small and expand as they start growing. Species Profiles. iNaturalist.  Adirondack Park Sightings. Don’t forget to check out the common butterflies of the Rocky Mountains. We disclose material relationships and share honest opinions. Here are 6 facts about the Mourning Cloak Butterfly. With a wingspan of 2⅞ to 3⅜ inches, [5] [6] they are somewhat smaller than a Monarch, but significantly larger than a Cabbage White. Susan Grimm Hanley.