Queen sips milkweed nectar

Queen butterflies Danaus gilippus are active in the Austin area in September. The various types of milkweed plants are among their favorite sources of nectar. Often confused for monarch butterflies, queens have a distinct white dot pattern on its wings. Texas Butterfly Ranch shows a great side-by-side comparison.

This lovely queen flitted repeatedly around a cluster of tropical milkweed blossoms. Read Texas Butterfly Ranch's "Tropical Milkweed OK for Monarch Butterflies, 'Just Cut the Dang Stuff Down'”.

The queen would land, take a few sips while rhythmically opening and closing its wings, then do another aerobatic twirl through the air. I couldn't tell if it was displaying to a mate or evading potential predators.



Either way, it's hypnotic.