The relationship is called Batesian comimicry. Both butterflies are distasteful,so they mimic each others' patterns for mutual protection. A common misconception is that only the monarch is poisonous and the viceroy mimics it to gain protection even though it is non-poisonous. This is not true though, as studies in the 1980s proved that the viceroy is poisonous as well.
The Monarch Butterfly (larvae) has adapted itself to eat milkweed plants, which are very bitter. Because of the food source, the butterfly begins to taste like milkweed to predators. This makes it so that predators don't want to eat them, and the butterfly is relatively protected from this type of predator. The Viceroy Butterfly has only adapted its color to that of the Monarch Butterfly, not its taste. This makes it unappealing to the same predators, thus increasing its chances of survival. This is known as Batesian Mimicry.
There are two main types of mimicry, which is the adaption by one life form of some of the superficial characteristics of another. The first is called Batesian mimicry, and in this case the mimic is sort of "free riding" on the reputation of the creature mimiced. The other is Mullerian mimicry and here both creatures contribute to the reputation. Consider two butterflies, the Monarch and the Viceroy. The viceroy's coloration mimics the monarch's. The monarch eats milkweed and the latex in its body is toxic to birds, so they learn not to eat monarchs, and sometimes they pass up viceroys as well. Now, the viceroy doesn't eat milkweed, so presumably it is a Batesian mimic, just coasting on the monarch's reputation as a toxic butterfly -- BUT -- some naturalists think they the viceroy, though it doesn't eat milkweed specifically, also has a toxic diet and is therefore a Mullerian mimic. One clear case of Batesian mimicry is the scarlet snake, which is nonvenomous but looks similar to the coral snake, which is.
The Viceroy Butterfly uses clever mimicry of the Monarch Butterfly to deter predators.
Butterflies are harmless. No American Lepidoptera is known to be poisonous to man. I am familiar with the Monarch, Red Admiral and other types. they are harmless and beautiful insects not pesky (Bugs). The Monarch butterfly is poisonous to some animals. The poisons in their bodies is very distasteful to many predators. The viceroy and monarch were once thought to exhibit Batesian mimicry where a harmless species mimics a toxic species. Studies conducted in the early 1990's suggest that the viceroy and the monarch are actually examples of Mullerian mimicry where two equally toxic species mimic each other to the benefit of each. Just goes to show you there's always something new to discover in the natural world!
There are many examples such as the viceroy butterfly (which is patterned very similar to toxic monarch butterflies).
Viceroy butterflies are not poisonous, but they look just like poisonous monarch butterflies.
Batesian mimicry
In evolutionary terms, mimicry is the similarity of one species to another that provides benefit for one or both species. This can include similarities in things like; appearance, behaviour or scent. An example of this is a harmless butterfly which mimics the patterns of a poisonous butterfly so that predators stay away. This form of mimicry is known as Batesian mimicry.
what are the predators or prey of the viceroy butterfly
Both Monarchs and Viceroy are equally poisonous to birds and other predators. This was not discovered until 1991, when entymologists examined the Batesian theory of mimicry and discovered that the Viceroy is also poisonous. The mimicry is possibly by both species - they are able to double up on predator recognition. If you have any other butterfly questions, e-mail them to me @ liviebug97@yahoo.com. I'd be more than happy to answer them for you!
how much does the viceroy butterfly weigh