Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
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DISTRIBUTION in North Carolina: Statewide, from the mountains to the Outer Banks.
ABUNDANCE in North Carolina: Despite its wide range in NC, it is generally uncommon. It is somewhat more numerous in the mountains (where it may be locally fairly common) than in the Piedmont, and it is rare to very uncommon in the central and eastern Coastal Plain. It has yet to be recorded from many counties, though it is doubtless present in all counties.
FLIGHT PERIOD in North Carolina: This butterfly has the longest brood of any species in the eastern United States. The species overwinters as an adult, with these butterflies on the wing on warm winter days, but mainly from mid-February to mid-June, when worn individuals are seen. The new brood is on the wing from mid-May into mid-June downstate, and until mid- or late July in the mountains. Adults then aestivate during the summer, and then fly sporadically in fall (generally October). Some dates refer to migratory individuals.
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Distribution, abundance, flight period, and map information provided by Notes on the Butterflies of North Carolina.
Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) 06/07/05 · Ashe County, NC
Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) 06/07/05 · Ashe County, NC