Which butterfly species is commonly called the mourning cloak?

The mourning cloak butterfly is Nymphalis antiopa.

This large butterfly is named for its dark, cloak-like wings, which have cream-colored edges and blue spots. It occurs across much of the Northern Hemisphere, including Europe, Asia, and North America, where it is also called the Camberwell beauty in Britain.

Nymphalis antiopa is unusual among many temperate butterflies because adults can survive winter in sheltered places. Adults feed on tree sap, rotting fruit, and other liquids, while caterpillars commonly feed on willows, poplars, and elms.

The species is sometimes confused with red admirals or tortoiseshells because all belong to the brush-footed butterfly family, Nymphalidae. Its scientific name is stable even though its common names vary geographically.