Butterfly and Flower Association

Butterfly and Flower Association

Adult butterflies feed mainly on fluids , especially flower nectar , using a long , thin , retractile proboscis . This association between butterflies and plants ( flowers ) is mutualistic . The plant is pollinated and the butterfly gets its food from the plant . While feeding the butterflies transfer pollen from one plant to another . Flowers pollinated by butterflies and moths are often regular , tubular and sweet-smelling . Butterfly pollination (Psycophily ) is typified by red , yellow or blue upright flowers that have diurnal anthesis.

Flower visitation and consequent nectar use by the butterflies are regulated by both behavioural and physical determinants. Nectar feeders have much longer adult lives than the others and their lengths lend to correspond to the length of flowers they visit . Saprophagous butterflies have longer adult lives than nectar feeders. Flower color , especially in the ultra violet range, is a cue for many species. For example , the skippers visit only those flowers which are in the white , violet or purple range . Flower position on the plant is also important as many butterflies will visit only those flowers that are directed upwards or laterally , only few will visit flowers that are directed towards the ground.

But very little known of the precise role of butterflies in the pollination . Other food sources include honeydew , sap from live and decaying plants , dung and decaying carrion ( saprophages ) .

Butterflies and Ants