Mourning Cloak Butterflies Have Arrived in Bitterroot

Imagine if you were the size of an ant. You look over the anthill and see this - a Mourning cloak butterfly with those buggy eyes and that long tongue. You'd probably turn around and leave the area. This is a unique look at the Montana State Official Insect (adopted in 2001). The butterfly is known as the Camberwell Beauty in Great Britain. It's one of over a dozen butterfly species that have already been seen in the Bitterroot this spring. And now, a typical look at the little flying beauty (see photo below).