Monarch butterfly vs Viceroy
These two are easy to mix up. Here's how to tell a monarch butterfly from a viceroy, and whether either one bites or stings.
Monarch butterfly
Danaus plexippus
Viceroy
Limenitis archippus
≠The key differences
Viceroy is similar in color but has a distinct black line across the hindwing; often smaller and lacks monarch's scent patches.
Monarchs lack the black transverse hindwing line and are generally larger with a slightly different wing venation pattern. Monarchs use milkweed toxins; viceroys use salicylates from willows/poplar.
⚖︎Side by side
| Monarch butterfly | Viceroy | |
|---|---|---|
| To humans | Harmless to touch | Non-toxic |
| Size | 8.5-10 cm wingspan | 65-76 mm wingspan |
| Colours | Orange, Black, White, Green (chrysalis), Gold (chrysalis spots) | Orange, Black, Cream |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Nymphalidae |
| Habitat | Open fields, meadows, roadsides, gardens and wherever milkweed and nectar plants grow; forested overwintering groves in Mexico and coastal California. | Wetlands, riversides, marsh edges, willow- and poplar-lined roads, meadows and gardens near host trees |
| Range | Native to the Americas; migratory populations in North America. Introduced or established in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii and parts of the Pacific and Atlantic islands. | Most of the United States, southern Canada and northern Mexico; absent from much of the far western deserts and Pacific coast |
| Active | Active spring through fall in temperate zones; year-round in some tropical and subtropical regions. Diurnal (active during daylight). | Spring to early fall (usually April-September depending on latitude), diurnal (daytime active) |
| Pest? | No | No |
🔍How to spot a monarch butterfly
- Large orange wings with thick black veins and a black border dotted with white spots.
- Males have a distinct pair of black scent patches on the hindwings; females lack these and have heavier black veining.
- Caterpillars with alternating bands of white, yellow and black and three pairs of fleshy filaments (two near the head, one near the rear).
🔍How to spot a viceroy
- Look for a black transverse line across the hindwing — viceroys have this line, monarchs do not.
- Smaller, more rounded wings than monarchs and a narrower black border on the wings.
- Habitat near willows or poplars and observing caterpillars on those trees confirms identification.
?Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a monarch butterfly and a viceroy?
Viceroy is similar in color but has a distinct black line across the hindwing; often smaller and lacks monarch's scent patches. Monarchs lack the black transverse hindwing line and are generally larger with a slightly different wing venation pattern. Monarchs use milkweed toxins; viceroys use salicylates from willows/poplar.
Is a monarch butterfly or a viceroy more dangerous?
Monarch butterfly: Harmless to touch. Viceroy: Non-toxic. Monarchs are not dangerous to humans. Viceroys are not harmful to people; they do not bite or sting.
Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.