The Nature of Phenology 3/9/19

Producers/Hosts: Hazel Stark and Joe Horn

Mourning Cloak Butterflies

Photos, a full transcript, references, contact information, and more available at thenatureofphenology.wordpress.com.

When their wings are folded closed, mourning cloak butterflies are perfectly camouflaged against tree bark. The undersides of their wings are mottled with shades of brown, gray, and cream, giving the impression of a flake of bark. But when they open their wings, they display a velvety deep red-brown pair of wings with a cream border beyond a row of bright blue spots.