Mourning Cloak

The Mourning Cloak is a quintessential Maine butterfly. These beautiful insects are among the few that remain in Maine throughout the winter, seeking refuge in various locations such as barns, between rocks, and under tree bark to escape the harsh weather conditions. Aptly dubbed the “Harbinger of Spring,” these butterflies are often the first sign of the long-awaited warm weather, appearing in March and April. With their dark brown wings accented with yellow and blue, they are a stunning sight to behold.

The Mourning Cloak butterfly's early arrival means they don't feed on flower nectar like many other species. Instead, they enjoy tree sap and overripe fruits, which are more abundant in the spring. If you'd like to attract more of these butterflies to your backyard, try leaving out a plate of overripe fruit or visit maple syrup operations.