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Limenitis archippus

Common Name: Viceroy
Limenitis archippus
Limenitis archippus

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Limenitis
Species: Limenitis archippus

Conservation Status

Identifying Features

Viceroy butterflies have a 2 1/2" to 3 1/2" wingspan. They are orange with black veins, white spots, and a black line across both hindwings making a “V” shape.

Habitat & Range

Viceroys are found in swamps, wet fields, and shrubland. Their range reaches throughout much of North America, except Alaska and Northern Canada.

Behavior

Viceroys eat fruit, carrion, fungi, goldenrods, and thistle.

Life Cycle

These butterflies lay 3 broods in a season. When the female deposits eggs, she will choose leaves that have not already been fed upon by other isects, and lay eggs in small groups.

Featured image by James Dake

Related

Limenitis arthemis astyanax
Red-spotted Purple
Danaus plexippus
Monarch
Nymphalis antiopa
Mourning Cloak