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Mourning cloak

Mourning cloak

Nymphalis antiopa

A species of Tortoiseshells, Also known as Spiny elm caterpillar, Grand surprise

The state insect of Montana, mourning cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) owes its name to a visual comparison with a girl who, disliking mourning, allows a few inches of color to show from under her mourning garb. Among the longest-lived butterflies, individuals may persist for as long as eleven to twelve months. It is a powerful flier, with vagrants often found many miles from the usual migration paths.

General Info About Mourning cloak
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Attributes of Mourning cloak
Colors
Black
Gray
White
Habitat
hardwood forest
Adult Food Sources
Nectar from flowers, sap from trees, overripe fruit, mud for minerals (puddling), dung for nutrients
Larva Food Source
Willow leaves, poplar leaves, elm leaves, birch leaves, cottonwood leaves
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Venomous
Not reported
Phytophagous
The Mourning cloak feeds on plants, usually without causing significant harm. However, it's important to take the situation seriously if their numbers begin to increase significantly.
Predatory
Not reported
Biting animal or pet
Not reported
Mouthparts Type
Siphoning mouthparts
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Appearance of Mourning cloak
Mourning cloak eggs are amber-yellow or pale olive-green when first laid. Upon further development, the coloration of the eggs will change, becoming lilac-pink, and darkening to almost black, as they mature prior to hatching. The spiny caterpillars are striking in appearance, with black bodies and a line of eight reddish-orange dots running down the back (aposematic, warning coloration). The body is covered with short hairs and black spines and white dots. Mourning cloak pupae tend to be a tan or brown gray, with two rows of sharp, red-tipped spikes protruding from the ventro-lateral side of the pupae. It can have a wingspan up to 10 cm. The dorsal side of its wings are a dark maroon, or occasionally brown, with ragged pale-yellow edges. Bright, iridescent blue spots line the black demarcation between the maroon and the yellow.
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How to Identify Mourning cloak?

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Life Cycle of Mourning cloak
Egg At this initial stage, the mourning cloak remains enclosed within a protective shell, often spherical and tiny. The color may blend with the surroundings for camouflage.
Larva As a larva, the mourning cloak is primarily a feeding machine, growing rapidly in size. It has a segmented body, and its coloration is often bright to warn predators.
Pupal In the pupa stage, the mourning cloak undergoes transformation inside a chrysalis. The body is immobile, and the shape is more cylindrical. Color varies but often matches the environment.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult mourning cloak’s development is marked by the presence of wings and functional reproductive organs. The body is fully formed and hardened, the adult is mobile, focusing on reproduction.
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Adult Size of Mourning cloak
Wingspan 7 - 9 cm
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Predators of Mourning cloak Larvae
Birds, rodents, parasitic wasps, predatory beetles
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Predators of Adult Mourning cloak
Birds, spiders, rodents, mantises
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Interesting Facts About Mourning cloak
Intriguingly, mourning cloak can taste with their feet, a characteristic that aids them in finding suitable plants for laying eggs.
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Scientific Classification of Mourning cloak
Tips for Finding Mourning cloak
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Youth Habitat of Mourning cloak
Forests and Woodlands
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Habitat Preferences of Mourning cloak Through Different Life Stages
The eggs of mourning cloak are typically deposited on the host plants' leaves, often willows or elms. Searching for the caterpillars requires inspecting the same plant species, as they consume leaves voraciously after hatching. Mourning cloak's chrysalids, transitioning into adulthood, tend to be hidden in more sheltered and secure locations, such as underneath leaves or in crevices. Adult mourning cloak, once emerged, are commonly found in various habitats, including woods, fields, and even gardens, where they feed on nectar from flowers. Observers aiming to find each insect stage should begin with the host plants and then extend their search to the surrounding environment.
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When is the Best Time to Observe Mourning cloak
The best time to find adult mourning cloak is during warm and sunny days when butterflies are most active, usually late morning to mid-afternoon. For larval stages, timing may vary but often follows the growth cycle of their host plants.
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What is the Best Weather to Observe Mourning cloak
Mourning cloak is more likely to be active and visible in warm, sunny weather with little to no wind, as cold, rainy, or overly windy conditions typically reduce butterfly activity.
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How and Where Can You Find Mourning cloak at Different Life Stages
Egg Egg clusters of mourning cloak are often found on the underside of host plant leaves. To find them, carefully inspect the leaves of known host plants for small, spherical egg deposits.
Larva Caterpillars of mourning cloak can be found on or near their host plants, which include willow, elm, poplar, and birch trees. Look for signs of feeding, such as chewed leaves, and check both sides of the foliage.
Pupal To find mourning cloak in the pupal stage, search around the host plants and surrounding areas for chrysalises attached to twigs, stems, or even the underside of leaves, often camouflaged to blend in with the environment.
Adult Adult mourning cloak butterflies can be attracted to gardens or observed in the wild by planting nectar-rich flowers or setting out bait stations with overripe fruit. They are commonly seen basking on sunny days with wings open or fluttering around their preferred habitats.
Are Mourning cloak harmful?
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Usually, the mourning cloak won't threaten or hurt humans. But remember that even a worm will turn. Remember to still be cautious.

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Are Mourning cloak harmful to humans?

Some larvae of tortoiseshell butterflies feed on milkweed, which is a poisonous plant containing cardiac glycosides, so the larvae are poisonous. Although poisonous, these butterflies will not directly affect humans if not swallowed. Touching the larvae of certain tortoiseshell butterflies may cause a rash.
Harmful Effects of Mourning cloak
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Hurt Plant

Larval stage of mourning cloak are known to feed on leaves, causing defoliation. Depending on their population, host plants can experience mild to severe damage, which may result in stunted growth, reduced photosynthesis, and in extreme cases, plant death.

More Effects of Mourning cloak

Beneficial Effects of Mourning cloak
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Explore how insects help as pollinators, pest predators, and biocontrol agents. From seed dispersal to decomposition, they play vital roles in our ecosystem.
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Pollinator
Pollinator
Pollination Behavior Reason
Eat Pollen Or Nectar
Mourning cloak are adept pollinators, fluttering from flower to flower in search of nectar. While they feed, pollen grains stick to their bodies and are transferred to other blossoms, aiding in cross-pollination. Their attraction to the bright colors and alluring scents of flowers makes them effective in their role.
Common Questions People Also Ask
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