Wildlife Wednesday 04/01/2026

Happy #WildlifeWednesday!

A sure sign that spring has arrived is the appearance of butterflies. The mourning cloak butterfly is typically the first to emerge in Ohio.

Native to North America and Eurasia, the mourning cloak has a broad distribution around the northern hemisphere, and one of the widest ranges of any butterfly species.

Easily identified due to its unique markings, it is a large butterfly with a wingspan of 4 inches. The wings are a dark maroon in color with golden-trimmed edges. Strikingly bright blue iridescent spots line the border between the purple and yellow hues.

Their habitats include woods, stream and river corridors, and areas near wetlands and marshes. They are frequently observed in hardwood forests, though can be seen in a variety of other locations including gardens, parks, and yards.

They hibernate as adults, overwintering in tree cavities, underneath loose bark on the ground, and other sheltered spots. They often emerge from hibernation before the snow has melted, particularly on sunny days in late winter and early spring.

Mourning cloaks feed on sap, ripe and rotting fallen fruit, and animal droppings. They very rarely visit flowers for nectar, and are not a significant pollinator.

Predators of the butterfly include dragonflies and praying mantises in addition to vertebrates such as birds, reptiles, and mammals. To avoid being eaten, mourning cloaks employ camouflage by folding their wings back and attaching themselves to trees. 

They are one of the longest-lived butterflies, with an adult lifespan of nearly a year.

While easy to spot due to their substantial size and distinctive coloration, the mourning cloak is on the shy side, considered to be timid and elusive, and thus its beauty is often admired from a distance.