Monarch, Viceroy, or Queen?

We have many orange-patterned butterflies in the gardens this October. It is hard to tell the difference between the iconic Monarch (Danaus plexippus) and all the other orange-patterned mimics currently in flight. Above: Two Monarchs on pentas.



Above: The relatively rare Queen (Danaus gilippus). The Queen is a deep fox-brown above and below with black margins and finely lined black veins. She is also smaller than the Monarch averaging 3-3 3/8" (76-86 mm).



Above: I love this shot. I don't know if that's a Monarch, Queen, Fritillary, or Viceroy with that jet. . . but it was a one-in-a-million shot.



Above: A Monarch on lantana.



Above: A Monarch on milkweed.



In general we see more Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) and Fritillaries than any other species, but this year there are also plenty of Monarch around. The Fritillaries are currently between flights. They'll likely re-emerge after the predicted rains this weekend.

The Viceroy is also smaller than the Monarch, has shorter wings, and if you look closely you'll see a black line across the hind wing that distinguishes the species.

Below: No horizontal black line means these are likely Monarchs. Here on Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia (Mill.) S.F. Blake) which is making a late summer comeback after dying out in the heat and dry of summer.



Below: Size indicates this is likely a Viceroy (2 5/8-3" (67-76 mm).



The Viceroy seeks protection through a different ruse in each life stage. The egg blends with the numerous galls that afflict the willow leaves upon which it is laid. Hibernating caterpillars hide themselves in bits of leaves they attach to twigs. The mature caterpillar looks mildly fearsome with hunched and horned foreparts. Even most birds pass over the chrysalis, thinking it is a bird dropping. The adult, famed as a paramount mimic, very closely resembles the distasteful Monarch. Since birds learn to eschew Monarchs, they also avoid the look-alike Viceroy.



In flight, the Viceroy flaps frenetically between brief glides. Its a difficult little creature to photograph. These photos are the few successes out of many failed attempts.