Striated Queen Butterfly, Danaus gilippus strigosus

Plants used as nectar sources by the Adult Striated Queen Butterfly

Unfortunately we do not have much information on the striated Queen butterfly as it does not usually come into our area (San Luis Obispo County). We had one vagrant in our demonstration garden. He was attacked by Monarchs who seemed to think him a threat. In the picture on the left he is sipping from Asclepias speciosa. This is a large tidy milkweed that looks good in a garden setting. It has large attractive flowers.

Plants used by the Larva of the Striated Queen Butterfly

The Striated Queen butterfly larva, like the Monarch, feeds on true milkweeds Asclepias spp. However, they also feed on climbing milkweeds, Sarcostemma spp.

One of the true milkweeds that the Striated Queen Butterfly likes is Desert milkweed, Asclepias erosa. This is a tall slender milkweed with very odd leaves and white flowers. The leaves are alternate and they curve up around the edges, forming nearly two inch deep cups.