Mourning Cloak
Mourning Cloak
22 May 2022.
A Mourning Cloak, with about a 3.5" wingspan, sat briefly for this portrait in the heart of the NEMT Forest. Amazingly, these beautiful lepidopterans overwinter by hiding in cracks in rocks or tree holes as adult butterflies and shutting down their bodies and developing freeze tolerance. As temperatures rise, the butterflies emerge and fly about in search of food and water. These butterflies are one of the first to be observed in Spring, although they can also be seen soaking up the warmth of the sun during winter months.