Odor-guided flight in moths

Comparison of Moths on Flowers

These photos (lower left by Dr. Rob Raguso, other three by Chip Hedgecock RBP) shows wild individuals of the white-lined sphinx moth, Hyles lineata, and Manduca sexta feeding on the same species of flowers. This is an illustration of the how different sizes and shapes of flowers effect the behaviors of the animals that use them, and how different flowers get insects to carry their pollen: some flowers are so big that both species of moth must land to feed and thus pick up pollen, while some flowers are so small that large moths must feed on them while hovering. Avoiding extensive contact with the flower allows for the possibility of a moth successfully drinking the flower's nectar without transferring pollen, effectively robbing the flower and cheating on the flower-pollinator relationship. However, close examination of many of Dr. Raguso's beautiful photos reveal clumps of pollen attached to the larger moths tongues, suggesting even during feeding interactions without full-floral contact, pollen can be picked up by the moths for potential transfer to other flowers of the same species.

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