Common NameViceroySeasonalityOne brood per year, peak emergence in early to late July.IdentificationThe Viceroy is well-known for its mimetic resemblance to the Monarch (Danaus plexippus). The black median line across the hindwing is the quickest way to distinguish it from the Monarch. These two species can even be separated on the wing by their distinctive flight: Monarchs have a leisurely, floating flight and hold their wings at an angle above the body when gliding, while Viceroys hold their wings in a flat plane when gliding, a behaviour characteristic of the genus Limenitis.
Scientific NameLimenitis archippusCommon Name
Viceroy
Habitat
Usually found in open, moist areas where willows grow.
Seasonality
One brood per year, peak emergence in early to late July.
Identification
The Viceroy is well-known for its mimetic resemblance to the Monarch (Danaus plexippus). The black median line across the hindwing is the quickest way to distinguish it from the Monarch. These two species can even be…
The Viceroy is well-known for its mimetic resemblance to the Monarch (Danaus plexippus). The black median line across the hindwing is the quickest way to distinguish it from the Monarch. These two species can even be separated on the wing by their distinctive flight: Monarchs have a leisurely, floating flight and hold their wings at an angle above the body when gliding, while Viceroys hold their wings in a flat plane when gliding, a behaviour characteristic of the genus Limenitis.
Life History
The eggs are initially pale yellow, turning greyish as they mature. Fully-grown larvae are olive-brown with a pink-white saddle, and resemble a bird dropping. The thorax bears two black, horn-like spines (Scott 1986).…
The eggs are initially pale yellow, turning greyish as they mature. Fully-grown larvae are olive-brown with a pink-white saddle, and resemble a bird dropping. The thorax bears two black, horn-like spines (Scott 1986). Third-instar larvae hibernate in a hibernaculum, a tube-like shelter made of a partially rolled-up leaf and silk.
It was initially believed that the Monarch-Viceroy resemblance was a case of Batesian mimicry, ie. the palatable Viceroy mimicking distasteful Monarchs. Recent research suggests that this is not the case, since Viceroys are also distasteful, so the two species are actually Mullerian mimics (Ritland and Brower 1991).
Conservation
Not of concern. Extirpated in BC (Guppy & Shepard 2001).
Diet Info
No Alberta data available, but larvae are known to feed on willows and poplars (Salix and Populus) elsewhere (Layberry et al. 1998).
Range
Great Slave Lake, NWT east to Nova Scotia, south to Florida and Mexico (Layberry et al. 1998, Scott 1986). Extirpated from southern BC (Guppy & Shepard 2001).
Citation
Page Citation for Limenitis archippus
Page Citation
"Species Details - Limenitis archippus, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2650. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
References
AuthorOpler, Paul A.
TitleA field guide to western butterflies.
Publication Date1999
Pages540
AuthorBird, C. D., G.J. Hilchie, N.G. Kondla, E.M. Pike and F. A. H. Sperling
TitleAlberta Butterflies
Publication Date1995
Pages349
AuthorGuppy, Crispin S. and Jon H. Shepard
TitleButterflies of British Columbia.
Publication Date2001
Pages414
AuthorLayberry, Ross A.; Hall, Peter W. and J. Donald LaFontaine
TitleThe Butterflies of Canada
Publication Date1998
Pages280
AuthorScott, J. A.
TitleThe Butterflies of North America : a natural history and field guide
Publication Date1986
Pages583 pp.
AuthorRitland, D.B and L.P. Brower
TitleThe Viceroy butterfly is not a Batesian mimic.
Publication Date1991
Series TitleNature
Volume350
Pages497-498
Specimen Information
There are 20 specimens of this Species.
20 results plotted on map in 11 markers. Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park, Sand RiverCollected ByHilchie, G.; Macaulay, D. A.; Macaulay, S. H.Date Collected2004-07-10
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park, Gardiner LakesCollected ByHilchie, G.; Macaulay, D. A.; Macaulay, S. H.Date Collected2004-07-10
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park, Gardiner LakesCollected ByMacaulay, D. A.; Macaulay, S. H.Date Collected2004-07-11