Monarda - 'Cambridge Scarlet'

[Dr. James Adams]

A response to the "Red Color" discussion:

> >> I grow 4 color variations of Monarda in my flower beds as a nectar
> >> source for butterflies (and moths). Last year it seemed that the
> >> beautiful red 'Cambridge Scarlet' variety didn't attract any
> >> butterflies (bees like it fine). This year I have confirmed my
> >> suspicions. I have 2 patches of the C.S. - one 6' by 6' and the other
> >> larger. I have not seen one butterfly in either patch but they
> >> regularly feed at the other colors.
> >>
> >> I'm wondering if I just have a crummy batch or if this variety is
> >> really no good for leps.
> >
> >Just to make a big generalisation, insects don't see the "red" end of the
> >light spectrum very well; they go more for ultraviolet/blue end.  I guess
> >this is why violet/white/purple flowering plants like Buddleia etc. are so
> >popular.  On the other hand, a lot of nectar and pollen eating birds
> >really like red flowers!
> 
> I have heard that some American species of swallowtails (notably the
> western tiger, Papilio rutulus, and possibly the anise swallowtail, P
> zelicaon) are very much attracted to red shirts.  Is this not true?  If
> so, is this some kind of exception to prove the rule?
> --
> Pierre Plauzoles   ae779 at lafn.org
> Canoga Park, California

There are several species of butterflies that actually do see very 
well in the red end of the spectrum, including several species of 
temperate butterflies.  Yes, a few swallowtails do have the 
capability to see, at least to a limited extent into the red end of 
the spectrum, and several species of sulfurs (most notably some 
species of Phoebis, eg. Phoebis sennae [the Cloudless sulfur]) will 
avidly visit red flowers which are notoriously poor for other 
butterflies (some Hibiscus, for instance).  So it can't be just a 
lack of color discrimination that makes your "Cambridge Scarlet" 
Monarda so crappy for butterflies (I've noticed this same phenomenon, 
by the way).

    James Adams  jadams at carpet.dalton.peachnet.edu