The Viceroy Butterfly, Limenitis archippus, is often mistaken for a Monarch Butterfly. While they both have the same orange and black colors, the Viceroy butterfly has a black line across its tailwings. In northern Florida, Viceroy butterflies are an orange color like Monarch butterflies. In southern Florida, Viceroy butterflies are a darker orange similar to Queen butterflies. Birds do not like the taste of Viceroys, Monarchs or Queens.
The host plants for Viceroy butterflies are willow trees. Explore meadows, alongside ponds and streams, swamps, roadside run-off ditches, and other wet areas where willows are present. Adult Viceroys have a wingspan of 2 1/2 to 3 inches. Females lay a single green egg on the tip of a willow leaf .
Fun Fact: Viceroys and Monarchs mimic each other. Mullerian mimicry occurs when 2 species evolve to resemble each other in color for protection from predators. In this case, neither butterfly is a tasty meal for birds, therefore, together they contribute to the survival of both species. – Ritland 1991, Ritland & Brower 1991
Photo Credit: Andy Waldo
