Species account

Sørgekåbe (Nymphalis antiopa)    Linnaeus (1758)
   Takvinger (Nymphalidae)    MOCL    24751
Mourning Cloak (gb)   Mariposa Velo de Duelo (es)   Sorgmantel (se)      Synonyms: Camberwell Beauty (gb)
Measurements:
WS: 62-75mm
Generations:
1
Flight period:
JFMAMJJASOND 
SE
Identification:
Similar species:
Life stages:
Distribution:
Throughout all of North America and northern Eurasia.
Habitat:
Behavior:
Hibernating in hollow trees or beneath bark. Overwintering animals peak around late April - early May.
Status:
Fluctuating annually in Denmark. Most individuals are found in eastern part of the country.
Host plants:
pil, birk, bævreasp og elm.
Comment:
You never see many individuals of this species. In 2022 I've seen 10 animals on Amager, and this has been a good year for the species.
Mourning Cloak 69    (1 photos)
2008-10-27    Cerro del muerto (agu), Mexico

Imago




Mourning Cloak 2544    (1 photos)
2012-11-22    Laguna Zapotlán (jal), Mexico

Imago




Mourning Cloak 2545    (1 photos)
2018-06-26    Laguna Zapotlán (jal), Mexico

Imago
I have few photos of this species from Mexico, but with two from the Ciudad Guzmán area, taken years apart, this must be a good spot to find them. In fact, checking naturalista.mx the volcanic belt through central Mexico appears to be where most are found. Assuming then that there are more willow trees in this part of Mexico. Or do they use other trees as hosts in the New World?



Mourning Cloak 590    (6 photos)
2022-04-20    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago
Pinseskoven.



Mourning Cloak 593    (1 photos)
2022-04-22    Amager Fælled, Denmark

Imago
Found by Gitte in the forest. For her a lifer. My third this spring.



Mourning Cloak 1280    (3 photos)
2023-04-02    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago
Pinseskoven.
My first this year. A week later than last year, due to the cold weather. We'll have sun the next week, why more should start to fly.

A rather dark cream-colored rim on this animal, for an emerging hibernator. Also very worn. Wondering whether the dark rim is an indication of the animal going into hibernation soon after it emerged, why its colors didn't have time to fade by sun and wear...




Mourning Cloak 1297    (3 photos)
2023-04-09    Näsby Fält (Kristianstad), Sweden

Imago
A single animal came by. Also just starting to fly in Denmark after a rather cold spring so far.



Mourning Cloak 1316    (2 photos)
2023-04-18    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago
Heksegryden i Pinseskoven.
Just for the fun of it.




Mourning Cloak 1313    (4 photos)
2023-04-19    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago
Heksegryden.
These two present today. Probably same as yesterday.




Mourning Cloak 1320    (1 photos)
2023-04-22    Kongelundsområdet, Denmark

Imago
Nordskoven.
Near the bee-hives - the best spot for the species at this locality.




Mourning Cloak 1374    (3 photos)
2023-05-08    Kongelundsområdet, Denmark

Imago
Nordskoven.
Three animals present today




Mourning Cloak 1375    (2 photos)
2023-05-08    Kongelundsområdet, Denmark

Imago
Nordskoven.
Three animals present today.




Mourning Cloak 2108    (1 photos)
2023-08-02    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago
Snogevej x Pinseskovvej.
The generation of the year on their wings now.




Mourning Cloak 2109    (2 photos)
2023-08-02    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago
Snogevej x Pinseskovvej.
The first one of the two I saw here today.




Mourning Cloak 2665    (1 photos)
2024-03-30    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago
Heksegryden, Pinseskoven.
My first this year. Almost spotted by myself, but two seniors light on foot arrived to the part of the clearing, where it was sunning low in the grass, just before I would get there, and that is ok, in this world where generosity and fellow compassion is The New Human Deal!




Mourning Cloak 2671    (1 photos)
2024-04-06    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago
Heksegrydens lillesøster, Pinseskoven.
They are coming now. This one was first on willow blossom, and later flew far away , as they often do when disturbed.




Mourning Cloak 2696    (4 photos)
2024-04-29    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago
Ellevehøjvej, Pinseskoven.
Very worn.
Subjectual variations, or whatever you can call it in English. Two animals were present, also sitting on the ground to warm up and in a young birch. This one seemed to like this Sea-buckthorn [havtorn] as it returned to this perch several times.




Mourning Cloak 2725    (3 photos)
2024-05-24    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago
Ottehøj-shelteret.

Was sitting unmovable on the ground with wings closed, why I thought it was dead. But when picking it up and moving us into the sun it soon came to live and took off a moment later.

Android photos.


Hands on

Mourning Cloak 3089    (3 photos)
2025-03-26    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago
Heksegryden.
A year first for me. 4 days earlier than last year is natural with all the sunshine we've had lately.




Mourning Cloak 3100    (1 photos)
2025-04-01    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago
Heksegryden.



Mourning Cloak 3108    (2 photos)
2025-04-03    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago
Fonscolombii-lysningen, Pinseskoven.
They were two and they flew away when I approached, but this one returned to this same perch swaying in the quiet wind for a few minutes before it disappeared between the trees.




Mourning Cloak 3112    (1 photos)
2025-04-04    Kongelundsområdet, Denmark

Imago
Lysningen, Nordskoven.
For the record from here too this year.