Viceroy Butterfly
Basilarchia archippus

The viceroy butterfly is a Batesian mimic of the monarch butterfly. The viceroy can be distinguished from the monarch by the presence of a transverse black line on each hind-wing. With a wingspan of about 3 inches, it is an inch smaller than the monarch. Both the 1-inch caterpillar and the chrysalis are brown and cream, and are much less striking than those of the monarch.

The viceroy caterpillar feeds mainly on willow and so tends to be found near water or damp places. It will also fed on aspen, cottonwood, poplar and some fruit trees.

The caterpillar and chrysalis rely mainly on camouflage for protection. The adult viceroy relies on being mistaken for the noxious-tasting monarch butterfly which it mimics.

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