Nymphalis antiopa

Nymphalis antiopa
Upperside
Underside

Secure  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Nymphalis
Species:
N. antiopa
Binomial name
Nymphalis antiopa

Nymphalis antiopa, known as the mourning cloak in North America and the Camberwell beauty in Britain, is a large butterfly native to Eurasia and North America. The immature form of this species is sometimes known as the spiny elm caterpillar.[2] Other older names for this species include grand surprise and white petticoat. A powerful flier, this species is sometimes found in areas far from its usual range during migration.

These butterflies have a lifespan of 11 to 12 months, one of the longest lifespans for any butterfly.[3] It is the state insect of the U.S. state of Montana, adopted in 2001.[4]

  1. ^ "Nymphalis antiopa - Mourning Cloak". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference isu was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Mourning Cloak". Study of Northern Virginia Ecology. Fairfax County Public Schools. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  4. ^ "Mourning Cloak Butterfly". Montana State Butterfly. State Symbols USA. Retrieved 4 October 2013.