When i was a kid in New Jersey, we had mourning cloaks, lots of them. On the side of our house was a concrete sidewalk. It bordered a narrow strip of lawn which was edged on the far side by a large privet hedge. In the lawn area, between the privet hedge and house was a row of catalpa trees. At the same time each year - i don't remember which month but it was warm ( I am 77) they would start moving across the concrete walk from the side lawn area towards the base if the house and up the side. The foundation was white stucco while the house itself stood abovebthe foundaton about 3 feet or so and stuck out beyond the foundation about 3 or 4 ". The house was shingled and the shingles forned a downward ledge partially concealing the bottom of the projection. The cavalcade would end on the bottom of the lip where the caterpillars would spin their chrysalis. We carefully checked them each day, watching until the fat bodied butterflys woukd energe, hang upside down, open their wrinkled wings and start pumping fluid from their bodies into the wings. As the fat bodies shrunk, the wings git bigger and bigger until they were fully open. Then thet would hang there until the wings dried and then fly away. It was a miracle i and the neighborhood kids eagerly watched year afrer year. Love them. Fond memories of a nicer time.
Thanks for sharing! I love hearing stories like this. Butterflies are spectacular on how they recreate themselves. I would have loved to witness your Morning Cloaks!
They are truly amazing! There's a video on youtube here that shows some playing dead when they get scared and it's so interesting. They just freeze up and fall straight down like a leaf and when they're wings are shut, you can't see them at all in the leaves. So cool!
Went hiking on the ice and snow in the Boundary Waters canoe area on April 7 and couldn’t believe our eyes. We saw several Compton tortoiseshell butterflies. I never knew butterflies wintered over. Loved your video. Thanks!!
Thanks for watching the video. I have not heard that I look like a younger Robert De Niro, so I am not sure what to think of that. I'll have to bring up some of his younger shots and take a look. I hope your summer is going well!
Hi, luv your info on Mourning Cloaks. I live in So. California and have 12 Mourning Cloaks chrysalis on my front porch beginning on June 10...seven have hatched and gone their merry way, and still have 5 hanging in various spots on porch. They are so beautiful, but I live in a city and find it extremely odd that these butterflies can survive here. Is this common for the Cloaks?
Wow, you have a Mourning Cloak nursery! To survive in the city, they need access to host plants like willows, elm, aspen and birch trees. As an adult butterfly they need access to food like rotting fruit, sap and nectar. I would think these food items are located in the city but it is surprising.
I tried to research the proboscis/mouth of the Morning Cloak but didn't find much information. It may vary slightly from other butterflies as they don't often feed on nectar from flowers. I think your approach of very soft fruit or rotting fruit makes sense. Hopefully the Morning Cloak will figure out how to feed on it. Good Luck, I appreciate your compassion!
When i was a kid in New Jersey, we had mourning cloaks, lots of them. On the side of our house was a concrete sidewalk. It bordered a narrow strip of lawn which was edged on the far side by a large privet hedge. In the lawn area, between the privet hedge and house was a row of catalpa trees. At the same time each year - i don't remember which month but it was warm ( I am 77) they would start moving across the concrete walk from the side lawn area towards the base if the house and up the side. The foundation was white stucco while the house itself stood abovebthe foundaton about 3 feet or so and stuck out beyond the foundation about 3 or 4 ". The house was shingled and the shingles forned a downward ledge partially concealing the bottom of the projection. The cavalcade would end on the bottom of the lip where the caterpillars would spin their chrysalis. We carefully checked them each day, watching until the fat bodied butterflys woukd energe, hang upside down, open their wrinkled wings and start pumping fluid from their bodies into the wings. As the fat bodies shrunk, the wings git bigger and bigger until they were fully open. Then thet would hang there until the wings dried and then fly away. It was a miracle i and the neighborhood kids eagerly watched year afrer year. Love them. Fond memories of a nicer time.
Thanks for sharing! I love hearing stories like this. Butterflies are spectacular on how they recreate themselves. I would have loved to witness your Morning Cloaks!
I did enjoy you video. I have them in my yard in San Diego. They like my Butterfly Bush… lol …of course they do
Thanks for sharing. They are a cool looking butterfly!
They are truly amazing! There's a video on youtube here that shows some playing dead when they get scared and it's so interesting. They just freeze up and fall straight down like a leaf and when they're wings are shut, you can't see them at all in the leaves. So cool!
I did see that video. I agree these Cloaks are very cool!
Went hiking on the ice and snow in the Boundary Waters canoe area on April 7 and couldn’t believe our eyes. We saw several Compton tortoiseshell butterflies. I never knew butterflies wintered over. Loved your video. Thanks!!
Oh wow! That is crazy! Our mild winter has the insect world mixed up? Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for the information on the Mourning Cloak - what a unique butterfly!
I am glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for the information about the butterfly really interesting. Have a good winter
Thanks, you too!
Hi Dave:) so informative! Nice presentation! Off topic, but you remind me of a younger Robert De Niro I’m sure you’ve heard this before?:)
Thanks for watching the video. I have not heard that I look like a younger Robert De Niro, so I am not sure what to think of that. I'll have to bring up some of his younger shots and take a look. I hope your summer is going well!
Never seen one and I've been looking.
They are have an amazing color of brown that is captivating. I hope you find one in your future!
@@davethebutterflyguy9841 I finally saw a northern pearly eye so I know one day it will happen.
Hi, luv your info on Mourning Cloaks. I live in So. California and have 12 Mourning Cloaks chrysalis on my front porch beginning on June 10...seven have hatched and gone their merry way, and still have 5 hanging in various spots on porch. They are so beautiful, but I live in a city and find it extremely odd that these butterflies can survive here. Is this common for the Cloaks?
Wow, you have a Mourning Cloak nursery! To survive in the city, they need access to host plants like willows, elm, aspen and birch trees. As an adult butterfly they need access to food like rotting fruit, sap and nectar. I would think these food items are located in the city but it is surprising.
Very nice
I just found a mourning cloak butterfly, the wing is damaged so I’m trying to feel it bananas but I can’t find it mouth to get it to eat, any tips?
Feed**
I tried to research the proboscis/mouth of the Morning Cloak but didn't find much information. It may vary slightly from other butterflies as they don't often feed on nectar from flowers. I think your approach of very soft fruit or rotting fruit makes sense. Hopefully the Morning Cloak will figure out how to feed on it. Good Luck, I appreciate your compassion!