a basic, probably dumb question I haven't found the answer to yet.

[Doug Yanega]

>Hi,
>I just have a really simple question, but can't seem to find
>an answer, though I've tried a few websites.  Are butterflies
>attracted to plants by color, by scent, or both?  Thank you
>to any and all who reply.

I suppose I'm not the only person who has seen butterflies attracted to
orange or yellow objects that have no scent at all. Secondly, of the
butterfly-pollinated flowers I know personally (quite a few here in
Brazil), I cannot think of one with a noticeable scent, in *strong*
contrast with moth-pollinated flowers. Given these observations, it seems
that scent is unlikely to be critical for most butterflies (but I always
will allow for possible exceptions). Others here may know better.

Peace,

[NOTE THAT I WILL BE LEAVING BRAZIL ON FEB 13]

Doug Yanega    Depto. de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas,
Univ. Fed. de Minas Gerais, Cx.P. 486, 30.161-970 Belo Horizonte, MG   BRAZIL
phone: 31-499-2579, fax: 31-499-2567  (from U.S., prefix 011-55)
                  http://www.icb.ufmg.br/~dyanega/
  "There are some enterprises in which a careful disorderliness
        is the true method" - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, Chap. 82