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This viceroy was photographed Friday between two sites with many monarchs. You may actually see both monarchs and viceroys on the same plant during the coming few days.
INFORMATION FROM AUTHORITATIVE ONLINE SITES:
The viceroy (Basilarchia archippus, or Limenitis archippus) is known for its imitation of the monarch butterfly, which is distasteful to predators. Through this resemblance, the edible viceroy, which can be distinguished by its smaller size and by a black transverse band on each hindwing, probably derives protection from predatory attack. Viceroy larvae feed on willow, aspen, poplar, cottonwood, and less often birch, oak, hawthorn, gooseberry, deerberry, apple, cherry, plum and basswood. The adult Viceroy will sip flower nectar, aphid honeydew, and moisture from rotting wood, fungi, dung, mud, and sap.
Birds that have not had the experience of sampling a poisonous Monarch or Queen butterfly readily eat Viceroy butterflies.
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1 comment:
Scientists had claimed the Viceroy butterfly was edible, but turns out they are also poisonous. It is a different type of mimicry, where two equally poisonous species have the same appearance.
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