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Viceroy

Limenitis archippus[3]

The viceroy is an orange-and-black butterfly that closely resembles the monarch; its mottled, bird-dropping-like caterpillars feed on willows, poplars and related trees and are harmless.[1][2]

Group
Insect
Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Nymphalidae
US records
46 states
Sources
3 cited
Updated
2026-10-16
Orange-and-black viceroy butterfly showing the black line across the hind wing
Orange-and-black viceroy butterfly showing the black line across the hind wing. Photo: Robbie Hannawacker, public domain (CC0), via iNaturalist
On this page
  1. Identification
  2. Look-alikes
  3. Where it lives
  4. Biology
  5. Damage and signs
  6. Health risk
  7. Control
  8. Related profiles
  9. Common questions
  10. Sources

How to identify it

  • Adults have orange wings with black veins and white-spotted black borders, spanning about 2 1/2 to 3 3/8 inches; it is smaller than the monarch it resembles.[1]
  • Caterpillars are about 1 1/2 inches, mottled white-pink and green-brown, with a pair of large barbed brown horns behind the head.[2]

Look-alikes

Look-alikeHow to tell them apart
MonarchThe viceroy mimics the monarch and, in different parts of its range, the queen and soldier, and can be confused with them.[1]

Where it lives

Found east of the Cascades and Sierra Nevada to central Mexico and Florida.[1]

US map: public records from 46 states since 1990 (GBIF).

Biology and life cycle

MU Extension reports two generations a year, with caterpillars from early summer to fall.[2]

Damage and signs

  • Host plants include willow, elm, poplar, oak, aspen and wild cherry; feeding is not a concern.[2]

Health risk

None to people or pets.[1][2]

Control

Prevention

No control is needed.[1][2]

Common questions

Is this a monarch or a viceroy?
Viceroys are smaller and mimic monarchs; UF notes they are easily confused.[1]
What does a viceroy caterpillar look like?
A mottled white and brown caterpillar resembling a bird dropping, with two barbed horns.[2]
What do viceroy caterpillars eat?
Willow, poplar, aspen, wild cherry and related trees.[2]

Sources

  1. University of Florida IFAS Extension (EDIS, Featured Creatures), “Viceroy Butterfly, Limenitis archippus (EENY-458/IN828).” ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN828 (accessed 2026-10-15)
  2. University of Missouri Extension (Caterpillars in Your Yard and Garden, IPM1019), “Caterpillars in Your Yard and Garden, page 50: Viceroy.” extension.missouri.edu/publications/ipm1019-50 (accessed 2026-10-15)
  3. iNaturalist, “Limenitis archippus taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/58586 (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-16. Built from sourced records. Spot an error? Tell us.