A Bitter Plant becomes a Bitter Butterfly

By Chelsie Vandaveer

July 25, 2001

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Willows (Salix species) are the host plants (caterpillar food plants) of the Viceroy butterfly (Limenitis archippus) [li men' i tis arc' ip pus]. When other insects have been poisoned by the salicylic acid in willows, the Viceroy's young are happily chewing away at the leaves. The caterpillars sequester the salicylic acid within their bodies to use as a chemical defense later on in life. Salicylic acid is extremely bitter and upsets the stomachs of birds

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or other predators.

But, until the caterpillar has eaten enough willow to get enough toxins to deter a predator, it must hide. The best place to hide is in the open where all the predators can see it. Predators just do not realize they are looking at food for the Viceroy caterpillar looks like a slimy brown and white bird dropping.

The Viceroy butterfly mimics two other butterflies. In areas where the Queen is common, the Viceroy looks like a Queen. Where Monarchs are common, the Viceroy looks like a Monarch.

Both the Queen and Monarch caterpillars sequester a toxic glycoside from their host plant. When a predator eats any one of these butterflies, it gets sick and usually regurgitates. The predator learns that the red and black coloration of these butterflies means, "Do not eat." All three species of butterflies benefit from each other's appearance.

Click here to view some excellent photographs of the viceroy and caterpillar.

Series:  | 1 |  | 2 |  | 3 |  | 4 |  

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Suggested Reading:

Why was goats willow called palm? What's in a Name? - March 21, 2003
Why are pussy willows all males? Weird Plants - March 13, 2003
What is fagot-wood? Plants that Changed History - March 18, 2003
Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) Plant of the Week - May 19, 2003

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Gardens Alive! -$20 off—>Click here.

Michigan Bulb -$20 off—>Click here.

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