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.

Aphid assassin

An assassin bug pulls an aphid from its colony and eats it on a milkweed leaf.

Monarch caterpillars munch

This monarch caterpillar might be preparing for a transformation on a Gregg's mist flower plant.

Soldier bug attacks monarch caterpillar

What appears to be a Spined Soldier Bug nymph, a type of stink bug, sucks the juices out of a monarch caterpillar. I crushed the predator, but it was already too late for the butterfly larva.

Aphids thrive

Tropical milkweed attracts loads of aphids, which don't seem to bother the plants or the caterpillars that eat the plant before transforming into monarch or queen butterflies.

Queen caterpillars

A pair of queen butterfly larvae convert milkweed into body mass. These caterpillars have 3 sets of "antenna," called filaments or tentacles, while monarchs have only two.

Monarchs in the yard

This was the first year I planted milkweed in the yard. It didn't take long for monarch caterpillars to appear. The beautiful monarch caterpillars are quickly gaining size as they eat the milkweed. 

Bee on milkweed

A bee enjoys a sip from antelope horn milkweed, a variety native to Central Texas.