Yellow color bordering its wings. Blue
dots on the side of the wing.
Range:
All of North America south of the tundra
to central Mexico; rarely in the Gulf states and peninsular
Florida
Habitat:
Because Mourning Cloaks roam and migrate
, they are found almost anywhere that host plants occur
including woods, openings, parks, and suburbs.
Food:
Mourning cloaks perfer tree sap, especially
that of oaks. They will also feed on rotting fruit and
only occasionally on flower nectar.
Lifecycle:
Metamorphosis-4 stages
Winter Survival:
Hibernation
Lifespan:
Adults live 10-11 months; may be our longest
lived butterfly.
Adaptations:
Hibernate in wood piles as an adult.
Sleep Cycle:
Diurnal
Niche:
Predator
Role to Humans:
Beneficial
Population:
Common
Interesting Facts:
Eggs are laid in groups circling twigs
of the host plant. Some adults migrate south in the fall
and some stay as an egg for winter survival.
Sources:
Google
Scientific Drawing
Mourning Cloak
I was born in an egg that my mother laid before she
died. When I woke up, I found myself on a twig. Then I
was so hungry I started eating leaves. I ate so many leaves
I got so fat and I was so heavy I almost fell off a leaf,
but I was able to balance my weight. Then it started to
rain and I was drowning, but I pulled myself under some
shelter. So I felt like I was ready so I hooked myself
to a tree and I made myself a chrysalis. I felt like I
had slept forever. Then I finally woke up tore my chrysalis
and I spread my wings out, and I tried to fly but I couldn't.
So then I tried again and again and then I finally took
off and I was flying!! Then when I landed on a flower
I spotted a praying mantis ready to attack me so when
he was about to attack I flew away. That was a close call!!
Then I knew it was time. So then I right away I laid my
eggs. The weather was getting cold and I found a little
place in a firewood stack and I hibernated. It was along
time that I slept. Then I woke up I found that it was
hot. So then I flew around laid some more eggs. Then I
knew it was time. I was getting old and tired so then
I took a nap and I never woke up. After I died my egg
hatched and that is my life cycle of my species.
