Viceroy Butterfly Caterpillar

Viceroy limenitis archippus this orange and black beauty is very similar to the monarch butterfly but the black lines across the hind wings are a sure way to tell the difference.

Viceroy butterfly caterpillar. In florida where queen butterflies are more prevalent viceroys are even a darker shade of orange almost brown. The westernmost portion of its range extends from the northwest territories along the eastern edges of the cascade range and sierra nevada mountains southwards into central mexico. R0jyyg rf a viceroy butterfly limenitis archippus caterpillar larva which mimics a bird dropping feeding on a cottonwood leaf. Viceroy butterfly scientific name.

Viceroy butterflies can give rise to 2 3 generations in a breeding season. Very bumpy and spiny brown and white 3rd instar of viceroy butterfly caterpillar on a willow leaf id. Limenitidinae introduction synonymy distribution description life cycle hosts economic importance selected references introduction back to top. In our defense the viceroy limenitis archippus and the red spotted purple limenitis arthemis astyanax are in the same genus and their caterpillars look very similar.

The viceroy butterfly limenitis archippus is nearly identical to the monarch butterfly. The viceroy caterpillar eats the leaves of willow and poplar trees. For most butterflies the life span is approximately 12 months out of which they spend 8 10 months developing as a caterpillar. In human society that would be termed an imposter.

Limenitis archippus cramer lepidoptera. The viceroy limenitis archippus is a north american butterfly that ranges through most of the contiguous united states as well as parts of canada and mexico. Adult viceroy butterflies can live for up to 3 4 weeks after they emerge from the chrysalides in the spring season. We especially like that your one photo shows the chrysalis below the newly emerged adult butterfly.

A black line across the hindwing distinguishes it from the monarch. Its wingspan is in the 2 6 3 0 range. It has orange brown wings with dark black veins. Its easternmost range extends along the atlantic and.

The viceroy butterfly eats dung carrion fungi and the nectar of flowers from the asteraceae family like golden rod thistles and asters. The viceroy butterfly is best known for being a mimic of the monarch. However because of their similarity with another popular species the monarch butterfly it is often confused with the latter.