Indexer
Viceroy butterflies (Limenitis archippus) are found in the United States, northern Mexico and southern Canada. They are easily confused with monarch butterflies, and there is a very good reason for that.
This is an example of “Batesian mimicry”, namely the evolution of a species in such a way that it ends up mimicking another species that is protected in some way that is not naturally available to the evolving species. In the case of viceroys, they would make a tasty snack for many predators although monarchs are bitter to the taste. The process of evolution has gone down the road of mimicry rather than making the viceroy equally distasteful.
Viceroys inhabit wet areas such as marshes, swamps and water meadows, with a preference for willow, aspen and poplar trees. They feed on decaying fungi and animal waste.
Mating takes place in the afternoon, after which the female will lay her eggs on the tips of willow and poplar leaves. The caterpillars, which are white and olive-brown in colour, eat large numbers of leaves before pupating. Two or three generations may be produced during each breeding season.
