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The Viceroy Butterfly is a black-and-orange poisonous butterfly that is very similar to the Monarch; it is a Mullerian mimic of the poisonous Monarch. It can be distinguished from the Monarch by the black line that crosses its wings. Also, the undersides of its wings are quite similar to the topside (unlike the Monarch, whose underside is much lighter).
The Viceroy is a strong flier; it has a wingspan of 2.75 to 3 inches (7 to 7.5 cm). It has a black, fuzzy body.
The Viceroy is found from Canada to Mexico. It inhabits riverbeds, wet meadows, marshes, and other wetlands where willow, poplar and aspen trees occur. This species is in danger of extinction due to loss of habitat.
The caterpillar is olive green and brown with bristly tufts behind the head (the caterpillar resembles bird droppings) . The caterpillar eats mostly willow and cottonwood.
Classification: Order Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), Family Nymphalidae (brush-footed butterflies), Genus Limenitis, Species archippus.
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