UK Butterflies - Camberwell Beauty

Wingspan
Male: 76 - 86mm
Female: 78 - 88mm

Camberwell Beauty

Nymphalis antiopa

nim-FAY-liss
an-tee-OH-puh

Linnaeus, 1758

Ref: 1596

Superfamily:	Papilionoidea
Family:	Nymphalidae
Subfamily:	Nymphalinae
Genus:	Aglais
Subgenus:	Nymphalis
Species:	antiopa

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Introduction
Distribution
Annual Cycle
Habitat
Larval Foodplants
Nectar Sources

Imago
Ovum
Larva
Pupa
Similar Species
Videos

Sites
Conservation Status
Links
References


Male	Male Underside	Female	Female Underside

	Introduction

The Camberwell Beauty is a rare migrant to the British Isles, originating in Scandinavia and mainland Europe. In some years there is a relatively-large influx of individuals, as occurred in 1846, 1872, 1947, 1976, 1995 and 2006, where individuals were reported throughout the British Isles. Like many migrants, this butterfly does not maintain a sustainable breeding population here since mating only occurs after hibernation and those adults that do manage to overwinter successfully are so few in number that the chances of finding a mate is small. None of the immature stages has ever been found in the wild in the British Isles.

The Aurelian by Moses Harris, published in 1766, gives this butterfly the name "The Grand Surprize" or "Camberwell Beauty", based on 2 individuals that were caught in Cold Arbour Lane near Camberwell in 1748. In America, this butterfly is known as the Mourning Cloak.

	Distribution

This species is a rare migrant to the British Isles. Although there have been sightings from many parts of the British Isles, most records are from eastern counties.

	Annual Cycle

Although the adults have been seen in every month of the year, immigrants start to arrive in June and July, with a definite peak of sightings in August and September. Some of these adults go into hibernation and are sometimes disturbed from their hibernation site, such as a log pile or outbuilding. A small proportion of hibernating adults survive until the following year. This happened quite recently when several individuals from the 2006 influx were seen in early 2007. There is one brood each year.

	Habitat

This butterfly is a great wanderer and is often seen in gardens feeding on rotting fruit, such as plums. The same individual will often remain in the same location for several days. In the spring the adults will feed from sallow flowers and sap runs.

	Larval Foodplants

The main larval foodplants are Elms (various) (Ulmus spp.), Poplars (various) (Populus spp.) and Willows (various) (Salix spp.).

	Nectar Sources

Description to be completed

	Imago

This is a distinctive butterfly, even in flight, as the white wing borders are unmistakable. The adult is a solitary insect and, as such, migrates singly rather that in the swarms associated with other migrant species.


Photo © Paul	Photo © Paul	Photo © Pete Eeles 16-Sep-2007	Photo © Pete Eeles 20-Sep-2007	Photo © Pete Eeles 20-Sep-2007

Photo © Pete Eeles 25-Jul-2008	Photo © James Wright	Photo © Paul Olive	Photo © Nigel Venters

	Aberrations

Description to be completed

	Ovum

Eggs are laid in clusters around a twig of the foodplant. The size of the clusters varies considerably and may contain any number of eggs, usually between 30 and 250.


Photo © Nigel Venters	Photo © Nigel Venters	Photo © Nigel Venters	Photo © Nigel Venters	Photo © Nigel Venters

	Larva

Larvae feed gregariously but disperse just prior to pupation, where they may travel quite some distance.


Photo © Pete Eeles 02-Jul-2008	Photo © Pete Eeles 25-Aug-2007	Photo © Pete Eeles 25-Aug-2007	Photo © Nigel Venters	Photo © Nigel Venters

	Pupa

The pupa hangs upside-side attached by its cremaster to a leaf stem or twig. This stage lasts around 3 weeks.


Photo © Mikhail	Photo © Pete Eeles 04-Sep-2007	Photo © Pete Eeles 13-Jul-2008

	Similar Species

No similar species found.

	Videos

No videos are currently available for this species.

	Sites

No sites found.

	Conservation Status

This species is a rare migrant and no conservation action is relevant.

	Links

The following links provide additional information on this butterfly.

	References

The species description provided here has been derived from the author's own observations and the information contained in the following works:

A Natural History of British Butterflies, by F.W.Frohawk.
British and Irish Butterflies, by Adrian M. Riley
South's British Butterflies, by T.G.Howarth (which is based extensively on the classic work, "The Butterflies of the British Isles", by Richard South).
The Butterflies of Britain and Ireland, by Jeremy Thomas and Richard Lewington.
The Millennium Atlas of Butterflies in Britain and Ireland, by Jim Asher, Martin Warren, Richard Fox, Paul Harding, Gail Jeffcoate, Stephen Jeffcoate.
The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland Volume 7 (1) Hesperiidae to Nymphalidae (the Butterflies), by A. Maitland Emmet and John Heath (editors).
The State of Butterflies in Britain and Ireland, Richard Fox, Jim Asher, Tom Brereton, David Roy and Martin Warren.