Mourning Cloak is a common butterfly found across North America and northern Eurasia. Its common name comes from the German word Trauermantel and refers to the tradition colour of a cloak worn during mourning. In Great Britain it is called Camberwell Beauty, since the species was first discovery in the London district of Camberwell.
It is easy to distinguish a Mourning Cloak as it fairly large with a wingspan of up to 4 in/10 cm and dark brown or maroon wings that have ragged light-yellow edges. Because they have hairy legs, they are part of the Nymphalidae family of butterflies, also called the Brushfoots.
The Mourning Cloak is the state insect of Montana. |
