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Viceroy (Limenitis archippus)


Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Viceroy


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Image Credit: Dave E. from Swaledale, Iowa
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Highly recognized throughout the continent, the orange and black Viceroy one of the most popular butterflies from a regal family.



Updated: 01/06/2022; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org
A classic butterfly, the decorative Viceroy is often seen in coloring books, on plates and pottery, and stamped on notecards. It is orange with bold black borders and lines on the wings. White dots form two rows at the bottom edges of the wings. Near the tips of the forewings is a black patch that showcases two bright white spots and a third one closer to the tip. An obvious black line curves across the hindwings. The body is black. The coloring of the Viceroy closely mimics the foul-tasting Monarch, offering the Viceroy a chance to avoid predators.

Caterpillars have just about every oddity one can think of when describing a caterpillar. They have humps, bumps, antennae, and can bend at right angles. In general, they look like bird poop; the brown and white, or green and white kind. Short bristles poke out of small bumps on the body and two black antennae look like they are covered in spikes or prickles. They feed on apple, aspen, cherry, cottonwood, poplar, and willow tree leaves.

Look for celebrated adults from late spring through mid-autumn in temperate areas, but year-round in warmer parts of Florida and Mexico. They are fond of wet places like the lakeside, marshes and swamps, as well as drier meadows, thickets and valleys.©InsectIdentification.org


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General Characteristics


Capability, Shape, Texture/Pattern, Benefits, Dangers
Flying insect icon


Taxonomic Hierarchy


Species Breakdown
Kingdom: Animalia
  Phylum: Arthropoda
    Class: Insecta
      Order: Lepidoptera
        Family: Nymphalidae
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          Genus: Limenitis
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            Species: archippus

Identifying Information


Size, Colors, Features
Scientific Name: Limenitis archippus
Category: Butterfly or Moth
Size (Adult; Length): 53mm to 86mm (2.08" to 3.38")
Colorwheel Graphic Colors: orange; black; white
Descriptors: classic butterfly; flying


Relative Size Comparison


Typical Size Between 53mm (2.1in) and 86mm (3.4in)
Lo: 53mm
Md: 69.5mm
Hi: 86mm

Territorial Map*


U.S., Canada, and Mexico
State of Alabama graphic
State of Arizona graphic
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State of Delware graphic
State of Florida graphic
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State of New England graphic
State of New Jersey graphic
State of New Mexico graphic
State of New York graphic
State of North Carolina graphic
State of North Dakota graphic
State of Ohio graphic
State of Oklahoma graphic
State of Oregon graphic
State of Pennsylvania graphic
State of South Carolina graphic
State of South Dakota graphic
State of Tennessee graphic
State of Texas graphic
State of Utah graphic
State of Virginia graphic
State of Washington graphic
State of West Virginia graphic
State of Wisconsin graphic
State of Wyoming graphic
Canadian territory of Alberta graphic
Canadian territory of British Columbia graphic
Canadian territory of Manitoba graphic
Canadian territory of New Brunswick graphic
Canadian territory of Newfoundland and Labrador graphic
Canadian territory of Ontario graphic
Canadian territory of Quebec graphic
Canadian territory of Saskatchewan graphic
Territory map graphic of the country of Mexico
Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic
Alaska  
Hawaii  
Prince Edward Is.  
* MAP NOTES: The territorial heat map above showcases (in red) the states and territories of North America where the Viceroy may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data is useful when attempting to see concentrations of particular species across the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some insects are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America. States/Territories shown above are a general indicator of areas inhabited by the Viceroy. Insects generally go where they please, typically driven by diet, environmental changes, and / or mating habits.
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