LATIN NAME: Nymphalis antiopa (Linnaeus) ENGLISH NAMES: Mourningcloak Butterfly or Spiny Elm Caterpillar ORDER: Lepidoptera FAMILY: Nymphalidae The observation of colonies of black larvae with red dots and spines on their backs provides evidence of the mourningcloak butterfly's presence. These larvae can defoliate the leaves right to the midrib. Other signs of the insect's presence include rings of eggs around defoliated twigs and chrysalids suspended from small branches or leaves. The defoliation caused by the larvae does not pose a serious threat to damaged trees. The female lays her eggs in a ring around twigs. After hatching, the larvae migrate to the leaves and feed on them in small colonies, beginning with the blade portions between the veins and eventually consuming the entire leaf, except the midrib. They strip each branch of all its foliage before moving to the next one. After the caterpillars cease feeding, they hang themselves from the lower part of a small branch or other objects and change into a chrysalid. The insect usually overwinters as an adult, but can also overwinter as a pupa. (Found while camping at St. Ambroise Provincial Park in Manitoba Canada)