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Wingspan Male: 76 - 86mm Female: 78 - 88mm Photo © Pete Eeles

Camberwell Beauty Aglais antiopa nim-FAY-liss an-tee-OH-puh B&F No.: 1596

Superfamily: Papilionoidea Family: Nymphalidae Subfamily: Nymphalinae Genus: Aglais Subgenus: Nymphalis Species: antiopa (Linnaeus, 1758) Subspecies: antiopa (Linnaeus, 1758)

Introduction Phenology Habitat Larval Foodplants Nectar Sources Imago

Ovum Larva Pupa Similar Species Videos

Sites Conservation Status Links References

	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. Although there have been sightings from many parts of the British Isles, most records are from eastern counties.

Subspecies: Aglais antiopa antiopa

The nominate subspecies was first defined in Linnaeus (1758) as shown here (type locality: Sweden, America). The population in the British Isles is represented by this subspecies.

Male Photo © Paul Olive

Male Underside Photo © Pete Eeles

Female Photo © Nigel Venters

Female Underside Photo © CFB

	Phenology

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.

Subspecies: Aglais antiopa antiopa

	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 primary 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.

Subspecies: Aglais antiopa antiopa

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 © James Wright	Photo © Paul Olive	Photo © Paul Olive
Photo © Nigel Venters	Photo © CFB 01-Apr-2010	Photo © CFB 25-Mar-2012

	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	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 23-Aug-2007	Photo © Pete Eeles 25-Aug-2007	Photo © Pete Eeles 25-Aug-2007
Photo © Nigel Venters	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 © Pete Eeles 04-Sep-2007

Photo © Pete Eeles 13-Jul-2008

	Similar Species

No similar species found.

	Videos

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	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.

• British Butterflies by Steven Cheshire
• European Butterflies by Christopher Jonko
• European Butterflies by Matt Rowlings
• Guy Padfield's European Butterfly Page
• Moths and Butterflies of Europe and North Africa
• Natural History Museum (Cockayne Database)
• UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme

	References

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

• Asher (2001). Asher, J., Warren, M., Fox, R., Harding, P., Jeffcoate, G. and Jeffcoate, S.: The Millennium Atlas of Butterflies in Britain and Ireland. 2001.
• Fox (2006). Fox, R., Asher, J., Brereton, T., Roy, D. and Warren, M.: The State of Butterflies in Britain and Ireland. 2006.
• Frohawk (1914). Frohawk, F.W.: A Natural History of British Butterflies. 1914.
• Howarth (1973). Howarth, T.G.: South's British Butterflies. 1973.
• Nash (2012). Nash, D., Boyd, T. and Hardiman, D.: Ireland's Butterflies: A Review. 2012.
• Riley (2007). Riley, A.M.: British and Irish Butterflies: The Complete Identification, Field and Site Guide to the Species, Subspecies and Forms. 2007.
• South (1906). South, R.: The Butterflies Of The British Isles. 1906.
• Thomas & Lewington (2010). Thomas, J. and Lewington, R.: The Butterflies of Britain and Ireland. Edn.2. 2010.

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