Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
Large, common butterfly with a long lifespan and one of the first butterflies which can be spotted in spring.
Common Names
| 🇨🇦 | Mourning Cloak |
| 🇫🇷 | Morio |
| 🇩🇪 | Trauermantel |
| 🇲🇽 | Nymphalis antiopa |
Taxonomy
| Order | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae |
Characteristics
| Length | 3.8cm |
| Wingspan | 10-12.5cm |
Best Locations and Seasons for Sightings
I spotted this butterfly in almost all parks around Montreal usually when they are spreading their wings on the warmer ground of a path in spring.
| Location | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belvédère Outremont | x | - | - | - |
| Jardin Botanique de Montréal | x | - | - | - |
| Parc Angrignon | x | - | - | - |
| Parc Michel-Chartrand | x | - | - | - |
| Parc de la Frayère | x | - | - | - |
| Parc Nature Pointe aux Prairies | x | - | - | - |
"x" indicates the species was observed, while "-" indicates no observation. Lack of observation doesn't necessarily imply that the species is absent. Data is derived from my park visit journals.
Identification and Similar Species
Easy identifiable with the brown-reddish wings a row of bluish spots on a dark band and a white band at the most posterior part of the wings.
All content on this page — including photos, videos, and field audio recordings — was created by Karl-Heinz Müller, a Montréal-based wildlife filmmaker, sound recordist, and photographer. Founder of MUUUH and Québec Sauvage, he has spent over a decade documenting Canada’s natural habitats through immersive soundscapes and wildlife films. Learn more about Karl-Heinz
Last updated: 2024-12-19