A Crowded Tree
by Charlene Adler
Title
A Crowded Tree
Artist
Charlene Adler
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Photography by Charlene Adler
Photograph taken at Laguna Atascosa Wildlife Refuge Center in Texas
It is the end of October and migration time for the butterflies passing through the lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas. Many species of butterflies pass through Texas and I have the opportunity for this week of watching the migration in several different areas. The beautiful Viceroy Butterfly loves to eat off the Honey Locust Tree. The white flowers give off a sweet fragrance to attract the butterflies.
The viceroy ( Limenitis archippus) is a North American butterfly. It was long thought to be a Batesian mimic of the monarch butterfly, but since the viceroy is also distasteful to predators, it is now considered a Müllerian mimic instead. The viceroy was named the state butterfly of Kentucky in 1990.
Viceroys (except a Mexican subspecies) have a "C-shaped" black line across their back wing that is visible from above or below. Monarchs are larger, and they tend to flap and soar, holding their wings up in a loose "V," while Viceroys fly with faster wingbeats, and when they soar, their wings are held more horizontally.
Uploaded
October 31st, 2022
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