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Image Credits: Viceroy sketch in 'Rare Invertebrates of the South Okanagan' by Hannah Nadel Members of the Brush-footed Butterfly family are covered with long, hairy scales and the fore legs are greatly reduced in both sexes. Most species are strong fliers, several are migratory, and many overwinter (not Viceroy) in the adult stage. The orange and black Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) was given its common name because it mimics the Queen and poisonous Monarch butterflies. It has however, a much more restricted range than the Monarch. Birds avoid Viceroys if they have previously sampled a Monarch or a Queen. The veins of this species are dusted with black scales and the hind wing has a narrow black line on the hindwing. The caterpillars have a striking resemblance to bird droppings, giving the insect considerable protection from predators.
British Columbia
North America The Viceroy commonly inhabits riverbeds, wet meadows, marshes, drainage and irrigation ditches and gallery forests, wherever willow, poplar and aspen occur. Although they are found in a variety of habitats, they are never far from their favoured foodplants. Rare invertebrates of the south Okanagan and Similkameen valleys such as this species are threatened not by direct exploitation, but by loss or degradation of their habitats. They are at risk because their ecosystems are at risk. The grasslands of the southern interior of the province are a valuable agricultural resource, and their rich soils have been ploughed and irrigated to produce tree fruits, grapes, and vegetables. Pesticide use has probably had a great impact on native insects living in around agricultural areas. As well, heavy grazing has altered the plant composition of grasslands, changing the invertebrate communities. The Viceroy probably became a victim of apple orchard pesticides. It would have been especially susceptible to these chemicals since some of its favourite larval food plants are domestic fruit trees. The massive diversity of invertebrate species in British Columbia makes it very difficult for entomologists to do a literature or collection survey to determine which species are endangered or threatened. Specialized, detailed surveys will be required for almost every species that is suspected of being endangered. Despite a general ignorance about invertebrate distribution, information is known about a number of species that are confined to threatened habitats of very limited extent in the Thompson-Okanagan valleys. The eggs of the Viceroy are ovoid but flattened near their point at attachment to the foodplant and pale green or pale yellow, turning grayish later. They are laid singly, preferably on the upperside of the tips of young host leaves. The prediapausal larvae characteristically construct hibernacula (small cylindrical overwintering shelters made of a foodplant leaf and silk). It has been suggested that the hibernacula diverts predators' attention from the larva. The mature larva resembles a bird dropping. The larvae feed (often at night) on catkins in spring, later on leaves. Numbers of adult broods vary from one to three or four, depending on the species and geographic location. The pupae have a characteristic postcephalic "saddle horn" and prominent, lateral wing cases. The mature larvae of the Viceroy closely resemble those of L. astyanax and L. arthemis. Male Viceroy perch 1-2 m above the ground on vegetation and patrol all day near the host plants to seek females. They glide with their wings held horizontally, not at an angle as does a Monarch or Queen. The Viceroy has one flight, probably June-July, in the far northern part of its range and two flights, mostly June and August in the northern United States and Ontario. A wide variety of foodplants is favoured, including willow, poplar, aspen, cottonwood, and less often birch, oak, hawthorn, gooseberry, deerberry, apple, cherry, plum and basswood. The adult Viceroy will sip flower nectar, aphid honeydew, and moisture from rotting wood, fungi, dung, mud, and sap. Birds that have not had the experience of sampling a poisonous Monarch or Queen butterfly readily eat Viceroy butterflies. Related On-line Sites to Visit
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