Viceroy - Limenitis archippus
![[Viceroy image]](img/010231.jpg "Viceroy - East Folly Mtn. Rd. - 2012-08-27")
Photo © Jim Edsall
Status in Nova Scotia
Fairly common.
Flight Period
Mid-June to mid-September. Two overlapping broods.
Habitat
Old fields, especially near wet areas.
Larval Foodplants
Willow and Poplar, other tree species.
Similar Species in Nova Scotia
Beginners can mistake this for the Monarch, which is bigger and doesn't have the black sub-marginal line in the hind-wing.
Notes
This is the famous Monarch mimic. Originally, it was thought that this was a palatable species deriving protection from its resemblance to the poisonous Monarch, but currently it is thought that the Viceroy may be somewhat toxic as well, thus the two species provide mutual protection.
Further Reading
Fairly common.
Flight Period
Mid-June to mid-September. Two overlapping broods.
Habitat
Old fields, especially near wet areas.
Larval Foodplants
Willow and Poplar, other tree species.
Similar Species in Nova Scotia
Beginners can mistake this for the Monarch, which is bigger and doesn't have the black sub-marginal line in the hind-wing.
Notes
This is the famous Monarch mimic. Originally, it was thought that this was a palatable species deriving protection from its resemblance to the poisonous Monarch, but currently it is thought that the Viceroy may be somewhat toxic as well, thus the two species provide mutual protection.
Further Reading
- eButterfly.org: Nova Scotia records, Canada records
- iNaturalist.org: 437 Nova Scotia records, 46071 North America records
- The Butterflies of Canada
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