Viceroy Butterfly vs Calleta Silk Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Viceroy Butterfly | Calleta Silk Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Limenitis archippus | Eupackardia calleta |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Saturniidae |
| Size | 53-81 mm wingspan | 85-110 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | Southwestern United States, Mexico |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Viceroy Butterfly
Orange and black wings resembling the Monarch but with a black postmedian line across the hindwings. Once thought to be a harmless mimic, it is actually unpalatable too.
Did You Know?
It is a Mullerian co-mimic with the Monarch, as both species are distasteful to predators.
Calleta Silk Moth
A dark brown silk moth with striking white crescent markings and a broad white postmedial band on each wing. It is native to the Sonoran Desert and surrounding regions.
Did You Know?
Native peoples historically harvested its cocoons to make rattles and small containers.