First butterfly of spring?

Photos by Barry Wallace

Mourning Cloak

(Nymphalis antiopa) 

 This rather unique looking butterfly is often the one Canadians see first in springtime.   There are 20,000 butterfly species in the world and 100 of them are found in Canada.   The Mourning Cloak butterfly is found everywhere in this country.  In Britain, it is known as the Camberwell Beauty. Many Mourning Cloaks over-winter in leaf mold in Canada, enabling them to make early spring appearances.

 

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Barry Wallace