Viceroy Butterfly vs Variegated Cutworm
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Viceroy Butterfly | Variegated Cutworm |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Limenitis archippus | Peridroma saucia |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Noctuidae |
| Size | 53-81 mm wingspan | 40-55 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Farmland |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Seed Feeders |
| Regions | North America | Worldwide |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
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.
Variegated Cutworm
A mottled brown moth whose plump soil-dwelling caterpillars cut through stems of seedlings at ground level. It attacks a very wide range of vegetables and field crops.
Did You Know?
A single caterpillar can cut down several seedlings in one night, often felling far more plants than it actually eats.