A large and impressive butterfly, the Camberwell Beauty is so called because of its first sighting in Camberwell in Britain. In the USA it is called the Mourning Cloak due to its dark wings fringed with cream margins. Freshly emerged specimens possess a beautiful maroon hue across the upperside. It is a powerful flier found in mature wooded areas, often adjacent to streams along which they often patrol but they also have a tendency to wander; with some individuals sometimes travelling to Britain and Ireland particularly after periods of easterly winds in late summer. Despite the abundance of its foodplant in Ireland, it would appear that our wet winters prevent this species from overwintering successfully. It is rarely seen nectaring and seldom flies lower than around eye level, preferring to take sap from tree branches or bask among mature shrubbery. I found one patrolling back and forth along a river in Transylvania; a frequent activity of males who have emerged from hibernation.

Distribution: Most of Europe, but absent from much of the Iberian Peninsula, most Mediterranean islands as well as Britain and Ireland.

Flight Period: June-September, with post-hibernation individuals appearing March-April.

Habitat: Breeds in woodland clearings, river valleys and dense scrub, but can be seen almost anywhere.

Foodplants: Primarily Willow (Salix) but also Poplar (Populus)and Elm (Ulmus).

Nectar Sources: Rarely visits flowers, preferring tree sap. Will occasionally visit Buddleia.

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