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NO. 006Mourning cloak illustrationIllustration · not shown at life size

Butterflies / Insect

Mourning cloak

Nymphalis antiopa

AdultFind the right habitat

A pale border runs around these dark wings. This butterfly can spend the winter as an adult!

Let’s look closer

Little clues

Three things to notice.

  1. Pale yellow wing borders.

  2. Blue spots inside the border.

  3. Spends winter as an adult.

Out in the world

Where to look.

Around southeastern Wisconsin

Woodland paths.

When to look

Warm early-spring days and again in fall.

Look closely. Leave your tiny neighbor where you found it.

A closer look

One clue is just the start.

The pale wing border and row of blue spots help you recognize it. Look on tree trunks as well as flowers.

A special find can be hard to spot without being biologically rare. Encounters depend on season and habitat.

Keep exploring

Meet the neighbors.

For curious grownups, too

Read a little further.

Original summaries, with references for deeper reading. Field notes are being checked against the supplied research.

Make a creature disc

Artwork & downloads.

Drag a PNG image into xTool Studio, or use its download button. Images use the full-resolution files.

  • Mourning cloak — Transparent front PNG

    Transparent front PNG

    76.2 mm canvas · white-outlined labels on a clear background

    006-front.png
    1800 × 1800 px

    Download PNG
  • Mourning cloak — Relief depth PNG — prototype

    Relief depth PNG — prototype

    Matches this front · dark lettering 0.5 mm, outline 0.1 mm at 1 mm maximum

    006-height-disc.png
    1800 × 1800 px

    Download PNG
  • Mourning cloak — Original artwork

    Original artwork

    Unmodified source PNG

    006-mourning-cloak.png
    1254 × 1254 px

    Download PNG

  • Editable front SVG

    Common & scientific names · finding clue · editable labels

    006-front.svg

    Download SVG

Front artwork is made for a 3-inch clear disc. Revised artwork still needs a physical check. Disc backs are blank; use the single carrier QR from the print studio to open the field guide.

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