Viceroy Butterfly vs Mormon Metalmark
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Viceroy Butterfly | Mormon Metalmark |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Limenitis archippus | Apodemia mormo |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Riodinidae |
| Size | 53-81 mm wingspan | 22-30 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Heathland |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | North America | Western North America from Canada to Mexico |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern (species); some subspecies criticall |
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.
Mormon Metalmark
A small butterfly with dark brown wings covered in white spots arranged in irregular bands. Several of its subspecies are critically endangered.
Did You Know?
The Lange's metalmark subspecies, restricted to a single sand dune in California, is one of the rarest butterflies in the world.