Look closely at your backyard butterflies! Here's how to detect the subtle differences among the three butterflies that look like monarchs.
3 Butterflies That Look Like Monarchs
Updated on Oct. 06, 2024
It’s always a thrill when a beautiful orange butterfly flutters through your backyard. First things first, how do you actually know if you’re seeing a monarch? Some butterflies look like monarchs. Here are the key ways to identify a monarch butterfly and three similar species:
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How to Spot Monarch Butterflies
Look for light orange wings with thick black veins and small white dots along edges of the wings to tell if you’re seeing a monarch. Male monarchs have two black dots on their hindwings. You can spot monarchs all across the U.S. (though they are less common in the Northwest) and southern Canada.
Next, let’s talk about the three butterflies that are often confused for monarchs because they look similar.
Butterflies that Resemble the Monarch
Viceroy Butterflies
Viceroy butterflies look a lot like monarchs, with similar coloring and markings. The main difference to look for is a black stripe across the hindwings. These butterflies are widespread across the U.S. and southern Canada except for parts of the far West.
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Queen Butterflies
Queen butterflies have darker, orange-brown wings than monarchs and viceroys. Their wings also feature white dots and inconspicuous dark veins on the upperside. They’re primarily seen in the Southwestern states, Florida and along the southeastern coast of the United States.
Learn how to identify painted lady butterflies.
Soldier Butterflies
Soldier butterflies also look like monarchs, and have many markings similar to queens but fewer white dots on top of forewings. Their wing veins are more prominent than queens. Soldiers are mostly spotted in southern Texas, which is a rare butterfly hotspot, and Florida, but are relatively uncommon.
Want to attract more of these orange butterflies? An important note: Three of these species (monarch, queen and soldier) rely on milkweed as an essential host plant during their caterpillar stage.
