Limenitis archippus (Viceroy)

Limenitis archippus, also called Viceroy is a simple butterfly from Nearctic ecozone (North America). The first description was in 1775 by Cramer. With a wingspan of 7.5 – 8.5 cm the Viceroy is a small member of the family NYMPHALIDAE. The butterfly is brown with some white spots and the veins are black. The Viceroy is a good example of Batesian mimicry, because its mimics the Monarch (Danaus plexippus).

Photos for easy identification

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer

These are nice photos of Limenitis archippus (Viceroy). Limenitis archippus is a member of the family NYMPHALIDAE from Nearctic (North America).

Description

The forewings are brown. The margin is black and include two chains of little white spots. There are two white spots isolated on wing. The veins are black.
The underside is brown. The pinion is light brown. All white spots from upside are also there.

The hind wings are brown. The margin is black and include two chains of little white spots. The veins are black. There is a black line crossing the wing.
The underside is light brown. All white spots from upside are also there ana they are broader than upside. The veins are black. There is a black line crossing the wing.

The body is black.

Sex differences: None.

Macro photos

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer; 07.10.2006, macro photograph of Limenitis archippus (upside)

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer; 07.10.2006, macro photograph of Limenitis archippus (upside)

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer; 07.10.2006, macro photograph of Limenitis archippus (upside)

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer; 07.10.2006, macro photograph of Limenitis archippus (upside)

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer; 07.10.2006, macro photograph of Limenitis archippus (underside)

: Photo © by Thomas Neubauer; 07.10.2006, macro photograph of Limenitis archippus (underside)

Here you can see some macro photos of Limenitis archippus (Viceroy).

Distribution

The Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) is a simple butterfly of the Nearctic ecozone (North America) and the Neotropic ecozone (South America). The distribution include whole North America and extend to Panama.

: This world map shows the ecozones in which this butterfly is distributed.

Larval food

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General information

The first description of this butterfly was in 1775 by Cramer. There are some subspecies.

Limenitis archippus floridensis [Strecker, 1878]
Limenitis archippus lahontanis [Herlan, 1971]
Limenitis archippus obsoleta [Edwards, 1882]
Limenitis archippus watsoni [dos Passos, 1938]

The Viceroy is a good example of Batesian mimicry, because its mimics the Monarch (Danaus plexippus). The Monrach is an uneatable species and so the Viceroy is well protected against natural enemies.

Protection provisions / Red List

CITES: (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora):

-no entry- (as at 23.06.2005)
EU regulation on trading with species of wild Fauna and Flora

-no entry- (as at 19.08.2005)
IUCN Red List of threatened species:

-no entry- (as at 2004) (see: www.redlist.org/)