Monarch or Viceroy?

Monarch season will soon be upon us and as we diligently check every milkweed plant we see in the hope of finding a caterpillar, or even better a chrysalis, to admire and observe, there is another butterfly to keep an eye out for... The Viceroy! 

While the similarities are unmistakable the Monarch and Viceroy are two completely different species - the Monarch is Danaus plexippus where as the Viceroy is Limenitis archippus.


How to tell the difference?

One way is to find the distinctive black stripe along the bottom wings of the Viceroy, Monarchs don't have the stripe.

Size (not represented accurately in the photographs) Viceroys are generally about an inch smaller than Monarchs 

• Viceroy: 2 1/2 - 3 3/8 inches
• Monarch: 3 3/8 - 4 7/8 inches 

Note the black stripe - this is a Viceroy!

No stripe? It's a Monarch!

Other neat facts
 
Viceroys do not migrate. They overwinter as 1st or 2nd instar larvae, rolled up in a leaf of their host plant (willow or poplar). In the spring, the larvae need about 15 days to complete the life cycle and become a butterfly. They must develop through the remaining instars (approximately 5 days) and the chrysalis stage (at least 10 days).


Monarchs and Viceroy are Müllerian mimics, meaning two equally toxic species that take on similar characteristics to benefit themselves.




Next time you're out in the field take a moment to see if you can spot both species this time of year.