Viceroy butterfly
| Title | Info |
|---|---|
| Common name | Butterfly, Viceroy |
| Scientific name | Limenitis archippus |
| Taxonomic group | Nymphalidae |
| Source | Dan L. Perlman |
| Selection and adaptations | Coloration |
| Coloration | Aposematic coloration; Mimicry |
| Organisms | Animals |
| Animals | Insects |
| Lessons | Mimicry and Camouflage |
| Date | August 20, 2000 |
| Location | USA,North America |
Related materials: Monarch and Viceroy
Compare with the monarch butterfly for an example of Mullerian mimicry (click to see an image of a Monarch butterfly ).
Aposematic coloration in Viceroy butterfly, USA. Viceroy butterflies have long been thought to be palatable mimics of Monarchs, which are known to be distasteful and toxic. More recently, ecologists have determined that both Viceroys and Monarchs are distasteful, making this a classic example of Mullerian mimicry in which both species benefit by looking like another distasteful species. Bright and memorable color patterns like this are called aposematic coloring, and the coloration acts as a warning to potential predators.
