The Mourning Cloak Butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa). One of the first butterflies that you’ll see in early spring, or during warm winter days. They’re able to accomplish this because they overwinter as adults in locations such as tree cavities or under loose tree bark. Emerging as an adult rather than having to mature from a larval or pupal stage, having a head start over other butterflies.

They sometimes are the first butterfly that you’ll see in the spring (like me, today!). They also have one of the longest lifespans, at 11 to 12 months, of any butterfly.

They generally can’t be counted on to be pollinators, since they prefer eating rotting fruit and the sap of deciduous trees.

I’m looking forward to seeing many more Mourning Cloaks as the calendar’s pages are turned.

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