Within the last week I've noticed quite.a few Monarch butterflies flapping by whenever I've been out on the lake. I had to snag one with my net just to make sure it was a Monarch because I know they are similar looking to the Viceroy. No black bar marking across the hind wings indicates to me that they are definitely Monarchs. They also tend to glide more than the Viceroy.
I'm about 60 km north of the North Shore of Lake Ontario so I'm thinking the migration south has started.A long way and a few generations to go before Mexico.
Anyways, I didn't want to say the Viceroy mimics the Monarch because it is my understanding that they both taste awful to unsuspecting predators. So who is actually copying who? Evolution seems to have given the same markings and taste to both butterflies in the adult stage. I know milkweed plays an important role inthe taste of the Monarch but I don't believe it's the same for Viceroys. The question of whether one is mimicking the other may be best unanswered. Some sort.of mutual adaptation that is similar in nature and benefit. Is there a word for this and where else.does.it happen?
I'm about 60 km north of the North Shore of Lake Ontario so I'm thinking the migration south has started.A long way and a few generations to go before Mexico.
Anyways, I didn't want to say the Viceroy mimics the Monarch because it is my understanding that they both taste awful to unsuspecting predators. So who is actually copying who? Evolution seems to have given the same markings and taste to both butterflies in the adult stage. I know milkweed plays an important role inthe taste of the Monarch but I don't believe it's the same for Viceroys. The question of whether one is mimicking the other may be best unanswered. Some sort.of mutual adaptation that is similar in nature and benefit. Is there a word for this and where else.does.it happen?