mourning cloak butterfly

Thân thiện

A mourning cloak butterfly rests on a sunlit tree branch.

Definition

Noun: * A butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa) native to temperate regions of North America and Eurasia. It is characterized by its distinctive wing coloration: dark, purplish-brown or maroon wings with a bright yellow border and a row of blue spots just inside that border.

Usage and Examples

• The mourning cloak butterfly is often one of the first butterflies seen in early spring, as it overwinters as an adult.
• We spotted a beautiful mourning cloak butterfly resting on the tree bark, its wings closed to reveal the camouflaged dark undersides.
• The caterpillar of the mourning cloak butterfly is black with red spots and spiny projections.

Advanced Notes

• The common name "mourning cloak" refers to the butterfly's somber, dark wing color, which was reminiscent of a traditional cloak worn during a period of mourning.
• It is also known by the name Camberwell beauty in the United Kingdom.
• As a long-lived butterfly (often living 10-11 months), it exhibits periods of summer dormancy (aestivation) in addition to winter hibernation.

Variants and Related Words

• Camberwell beauty: (noun) The British common name for the mourning cloak butterfly.
• Nymphalis antiopa: (noun) The scientific (Latin) name for the species.

Synonyms

• Camberwell beauty

Học thuật

Noun

1. of temperate regions; having dark purple wings with yellow borders

Từ đồng nghĩa

• mourning cloak
• Camberwell beauty
• Nymphalis antiopa