RFI: Effects on Butterfly Behavior

[Burnetted at aol.com]

Greetings, Leps-Listers,

I am requesting your help with some research that I'm doing.  I am looking for
anecdotes about the possible effects that we might have on butterflies as we
are watching/photographing them.  I plan to compile these experiences into an
article, and would be willing to post some of my results if anyone is
interested.

Insect repellant: Has anyone noticed any behavioral changes in a butterfly
that they attribute to mosquito/gnat/tick repellant that the
watcher/photographer is using?  In other words, are butterflies "repelled"?

Fragrances:  Butterflies are said to be attracted to fragrant flowers.  Have
you noticed any attraction (or repulsion) when someone is wearing perfume?
What about clothing washed in perfumed laundry products?

Clothing colors:  Our common wisdom is that we should wear clothes in subdued
colors while butterflying, but has anyone tested this?  What our eyes see as
bright or "loud" colors may be seen differently by butterflies.  Do some
colors or shades of colors attract butterflies or scare them away?

Butterfly feeders:  Wildlife-oriented stores and catalogs market butterfly
feeders that resemble hummingbird feeders.  Has anyone had any success with
them?

Butterfly boxes:  Wildlife-oriented stores and catalogs also sell birdhouse-
like boxes that are called butterfly "houses" or "hibernation boxes".  Have
any of you actually seen a butterfly inside one of these?

Photo flash:  Many butterfliers have gotten into "collecting" butterflies by
photographing them.  Have you noticed any behavioral change in a butterfly as
a result of using a flash on the camera?

Other:  I probably left out an important category.  I would appreciate any
other related anecdotes, stories, or suggestions you might have.

Please be as specific as possible in telling your story, and include your e-
mail address so that I can contact you with questions.  In addition, if you
know of other studies of this or a similar nature, I would appreciate you
directing me to the appropriate sources.  Thanks for your help on this
research project.
  
Dennis Burnette
Greensboro, NC
burnetted at aol.com