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Mourning Cloak Butterfly: Harbringer of Spring

Posted by March 5th, 2007 at 1:00 am

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Butterflies and Skippers

moth in Virginia
Hello! Love your site!
On March 3 in Sky Meadows State Park, VA, I found this moth. It is reddish-brown with blue spots along its wings. White along the outside of the wing. Maybe it’s a butterfly but it seemed moth-like, whatever that means. I’d really like to know what it is. You may use this photo on your site if you’d like.
Callan Swenson
Falls Church, VA

mourning cloak callam Mourning Cloak Butterfly: Harbringer of Spring

Hi Callan,
This is not a moth. It is a Mourning Cloak Butterfly. Mourning Cloaks are often the first butterflies spotted in the spring since they hibernate as adults in hollow tree trunks and similar protected places. They begin to fly on the first warm sunny days even if snow is still on the ground.

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