Mourning Cloak butterfly
Nymphalis antiopa
insectView on iNaturalist
Dark brown butterfly with yellow border and iridescent blue spots. Long-lived; larvae feed on willows and aspens; early and late-season pollinator.
Plants that support Mourning Cloak butterfly
6 plants
Arroyo Willow
Salix lasiolepis
shrub
Early season host plant; caterpillars feed on new foliage
Bay Area nativeKeystone species
Coyote Willow
Salix exigua var. hindsiana
tree
Early-season caterpillar host; overwinters as adult butterfly
Bay Area nativeKeystone species
Pacific Willow
Salix lasiandra var. lasiandra
shrub
Early spring host plant for caterpillars; one of first willows to leaf out
Bay Area nativeKeystone species
Red Willow
Salix laevigata
shrub
Caterpillars feed on new spring growth
Bay Area nativeKeystone species
Vetch
Vicia gigantea
vine
Adult nectar source and larval food plant; early spring emergence
Bay Area native