[Movie File] Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)

▲Wing markings are unique. Deep-red in upperside reminds graceful velvet

 

   Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) is easy to identify because of its unique wing markings. The distribution of this species is covering almost all over Eurasia and North America. In Japan this species is confined to the mountains. It appears from middle August when other butterflies have already been worn. Flight is swift and glaceful. It rarely visits flowers, it is usually attracted by tree sap, rotten fruits or animal droppings. This species hibernate as an adult butterfly. In May or June worn butterflies with their wing edge in white are seen.

 (Koushu-shi, Yamanashi, JAPAN Aug. 2012)