by Leslie Cox; Friday; March 29, 2024

Mourning Cloak butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa)

This is a rare visitor to our garden. I would have to look back in my photo files but we think it has been about seven years since this butterfly species has made an appearance. And it definitely loves the Pieris japonica because each time we spotted it over 2 – 3 days it was feasting on the flowers.

The second photo below shows the underside of its wings. Very unique as the pattern closely resembles tree bark when the wings are completely folded together.