Limenitis archippus
Table of Contents
Common Name: Viceroy
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