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Aposematic coloration, Viceroy butterfly

Aposematic coloration in Viceroy butterfly, USA. Viceroy butterflies have long been thought to be palatable mimics of Monarchs, which are known to be distasteful and toxic. More recently, ecologists have determined that both Viceroys and Monarchs are distasteful, making this a classic example of Mullerian mimicry in which both species benefit by looking like another distasteful species. Bright and memorable color patterns like this are called aposematic coloring, and the coloration acts as a warning to potential predators.

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title Aposematic_coloration, Viceroy_butterfly, EL_DP742

group Monarch and Viceroy

common name Butterfly, Viceroy

scientific name Limenitis archippus

taxonomic group Nymphalidae

continent North America

country USA

date1 yyyymmdd 20000820

source Dan L. Perlman

Selection and adaptations Coloration

Coloration Aposematic coloration;Mimicry

Organisms Animals

Animals Insects

Lessons Mimicry and Camouflage

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