Morphology Nymphalis antiopa

1 morphology

1.1 eggs
1.2 larvae
1.3 pupae
1.4 adult

morphology

caterpillar of nymphalis antiopa


eggs

mourning cloak eggs pale yellow when first laid. these eggs can pale olive green bordering yellow. upon further development, eggs become red, , black, throughout maturation prior hatching. eggs 0.7 0.9 mm in size.

larvae

the caterpillars striking, black bodies , line of red dots running down back, , dark red legs. body covered black spines, white dots converging on ends of spines. mourning cloak caterpillars can grow 2 inches in length.

pupae

mourning cloak pupae on average 0.8 inches (2.0 cm) in length, though can reach on 1.1 inches (2.8 cm) in length. tend tan or brown gray, 2 rows of sharp, red-tipped spikes protruding ventro-lateral side of pupae. chrysalis has beak , tubercles, , 2 head horns.

adult

the mourning cloak butterfly large, unique butterfly, special markings not match of other butterfly, making distinguishable. can have wingspan 4 inches. dorsal side of wings dark maroon, or brown, ragged pale-yellow edges. bright, iridescent blue spots line black demarcation between maroon , yellow. ventral side of wings has gray striations, same pale-yellow edges. part of nymphalis family, called brush-footed butterflies due hairy front legs. species not display sexual dimorphism.