The Viceroy Butterfly.

The warm September sun washes over the marshlands on Muddlety Creek as I creep along the edges watching for various wildlife to  present themselves before my lens. In excitement I spotted the bright orange wings of a monarch butterfly resting on the leaves of an alder tree. But I was fooled. This was not a monarch.  It’s in the “Royal  Admiralty” along with the monarch but it’s a pretender to the butterfly throne. It is a Viceroy Butterfly. In fact, every butterfly that I have published as a monarch this year have actually been Viceroy Butterflies.  The two butterflies along with the Queen Butterfly are closely related and all 3 have similar colors and markings but the heavy dark bar on the forewing of the Viceroy is the quickest way to distinguish it from the Monarch. The marshlands here are full of willows and that may account for the heavy concentration of Viceroy Butterflies in the area.  Where the monarch hosts it’s eggs and caterpillars on milkweed the Viceroy hosts on willows. The Viceroy Butterfly concentrates the Salicylic Acid ( AKA aspirin) found in willows and poplars ( they also host on poplars) and this makes them poison to predators. Another thing that the Viceroy does to protect it’s babies is that the caterpillar looks like bird droppings. Which would certainly take them off the menu for birds. 

That’s it for tonight friends. Be safe and be blessed throughout your days!

Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!

To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.

If you would like to Follow me on Facebook the web address is

https://www.facebook.com/aviewfromthelens/

If you’re enjoying my blog and don’t want to miss a post then you can sign up for email alerts on my website.

https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/

Have you checked out the Zazzle Store?

I’m now using Zazzle to fulfil orders. What this means for you is a secure way to place an order, discount codes & a broader product selection! Simplymessage me on Facebookoruse the contact form on my websiteand tell me which image you want and I’ll reply with a direct link to where you can place the order.