The Viceroy butterfly is nearly identical to the Monarch butterfly. It has orange-brown wings with dark black veins. A black line across the hind wing distinguishes it from the Monarch. The viceroys are found in a wide range across North America.

 

“Viceroy Butterfly” by Benny Mazur, licensed under (CC BY 2.0)

 

Viceroy Facts

Butterfly Family: Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Limenitidinae

Butterfly Wingspan: 2 1/2 – 3 3/8 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Moist open or shrubby areas such as lake and swamp edges, willow thickets, valley bottoms, wet meadows, and roadsides

 

Viceroy Host and Nectar Plants

Host Plants:

• Trees in the Willow Family
• Poplars
• Cottonwoods

Nectar Plants:

• Asters
• Goldenrod
• Joe-Pye Weed
• Shepherds Needle
• Thistle