noun

viceroy

An orange-and-black butterfly resembling a monarch butterfly.

A viceroy butterfly rests on the willow leaf.

Etymology

The butterfly-name follows the royal title viceroy, a ruler's deputy. It complements monarch, the name of the butterfly it closely resembles.

More examples

  • We distinguish the viceroy from a monarch by examining its wing markings.
  • The field guide shows an orange-and-black viceroy.
  • Several viceroys fly along the wetland's edge.

Forms

viceroy · viceroys