Does the Plain Tiger Butterfly (Danaus chrysippus) reside in central
Saudi Arabia, west of Riyadh (in the desert) and towards the Lake
Karrarah area? If not, what butterflies do live there in the spring? I
have found some info that indicates that it does.  If so, what is its
habitat, what does it eat, what time period is it there, and what
temperatures can it handle? Would you find it on a plant in the early
evening? Does it feed on a mustard plant? What color is this plant and
does it have "mustard flowers"? How large is it and how prolific? I
have some info that those
plants grow in that sandy desert. How does it feed on plants?  If
there are no mustard plants, what plants are there in the area and
what does it feed on? Also, what butterflies would you find in and
near the city of Riyadh?  Pictures of mustard plants and the plain
tiger butterfly would be welcome. I am a teacher who is writing a
children's story, so the info must be reliable and accurate.  Thank
you very much!  Teacher Janice

free comment:

Hi,
I'm from Saudi Arabia.  I saw that Butterfly on Jan 2005 in the desert
in the Eastren province of Saudi Arabia (400Km east of Riyadh). I've
seen it also in parks in Riyadh in the past but I rarely see it
nowdays. I think it feeds on desert flowers (lavander?) during the
months Dec-May.

hope it helps.