Identification: Upperside of male is bright orange with wide black borders and black veins; hindwing has a patch of scent scales. Upperside of female is orange-brown with wide black borders and blurred black veins. Both sexes have white spots on borders and apex. Life history:. Females lay eggs singly under the host leaves; caterpillars eat leaves and flowers. Flight: In North America during spring and summer there may be 1-3 broods in the north and 4-6 broods in the south. May breed all year in Florida, South Texas, and southeastern California. Caterpillar hosts: Milkweeds and milkweed vine in the tropics. These poisons are distasteful and emetic to birds and other vertebrate predators. Adult food: Nectar from all milkweeds. Habitat: Many open habitats including fields, meadows, weedy areas, marshes, and roadsides.
Range: Southern Canada south through all of the United States, Central America, and most of South America. Also present in Australia, Hawaii, and other Pacific Islands.
Comments: The Viceroy butterfly (Limenitis archippus) is edible, but mimics the poisonous Monarch in order to gain protection from predators.
Conservation: Overwintering sites in California and Mexico should be protected and conserved. The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery. Management needs: Develop conservation and management plans for all wintering sites, migration corridors, and principal breeding areas.*