VICEROY

Limenitis archippus

BRUSHFOOT FAMILY (Nymphalidae)

This butterfly has a wingspan of approximately 3 inches.  Dorsally, it is bright orange with black stripes radiating out from the base.  It has a few white spots on the leading edge of the forewing, and a black postmedian band across the hindwing.  Ventrally, the forewing is mostly orange with tan at the tip, and the hindwing is all tan.  The black striping and cross band are repeated.  It is very similar looking to the Monarch, which it mimics and which is toxic to most predators.  The Monarch is larger and does not have the black cross band on the hindwing.  The mature caterpillar is approximately 1 1/2 inches in length and is a bird-dropping mimic.  It has a blotchy brown and cream coloration and a lumpy appearance.  It has small spikes covering the body.  The foreparts are humped, and there are brown "antlers" on the head.  

This species can be seen in small numbers each year.  It visits flowers and can be seen flying around woodland edges, marshes and rivers where willows are found.

Admiral caterpillars are easily recognized as they are the only horned bird-dropping mimics.  The caterpillar overwinters in a silken case inside a rolled leaf.  Willows are the preferred host plant, but it will also use poplars, apples, cherries and plums.