Nectar feeding
Nectar feeding butterflies have a longer proboscis than non-nectar feeding butterflies although the tip region in some species is the same length (Krenn & Penz 1998). When a butterfly lands on a flower it probes the flower trying to find the entry point (Krenn 2010). This can occur a number of times until the butterfly finds the entrance. The butterfly then lowers its proboscis, which has a distinct bend in it (Krenn 1990), at the base and the tip extends into the flower (Krenn 2010). The butterfly may have to adjust its body accordingly, depending on the shape and depth of the flower to ingest the nectar. Once the proboscis has been inserted into the flower it often pokes in and out (Krenn 2010) to gather information on the pollen by sensilla (Krenn 1997). Butterflies that collect pollen undergo coiling and uncoiling of the proboscis to make the pollen grains into a fluid that is then ingested along with its nutrients (Krenn 2010).
Non-nectar feeding
Butterflies that feed on fruit and decaying objects have a smaller proboscis than those that feed on nectar (Krenn 2010). On the tip of their proboscis there is a brush-like structure with many sensilla that aids in feeding by building up fluid (Krenn 2010). These butterflies perform a sweeping and jabbing action to ingest their fluid food (Krenn 2010). Butterflies that pierce soft fruit and dung have a short, thick proboscis with a pointed tip covered in sensilla (Krenn et al. 2001; Krenn 2010). They feed by penetrating the fruit in a soft place and moving forward and backwards whilst keeping the proboscis straight (Krenn 2010).
Evolution
A significant event in the evolution of mouthparts of Lepidoptera was the transformation of a simple galeae into a coilable and uncoilable proboscis (Krenn & Kristensen 2000). Evolution of the proboscis has also occurred due to the radiation of flowering plants (Krenn 2010). With plants producing different shapes and lengths of flowers, butterflies changed their feeding structures accordingly. Nectar-feeding butterflies have evolved in respect to their proboscis, increasing the length and flexibility of this structure allowing for the uptake of fluids from a variety of flower types (Krenn & Penz 1998). On the other hand, non-nectar feeding butterflies, through evolution, possess short brush-like structures suitable for their feeding mode (Krenn & Kristensen 2000). Characteristics that are common among all Lepidoptera are known as groundplan features. Sensilla and microtrichia (hair-like extensions of the cuticle) are recognised as groundplan features of Lepidoptera (Krenn & Kristensen 2000). Taxa lacking these features and instead having a smooth proboscis are thought to have evolved independently (Krenn & Kristensen 2000). The diversity of proboscises resulting from evolutionary processes has led to the identification of phylogenetic relationships between taxa (Krenn & Kristensen 2000).
Nectar feeding butterflies have a longer proboscis than non-nectar feeding butterflies although the tip region in some species is the same length (Krenn & Penz 1998). When a butterfly lands on a flower it probes the flower trying to find the entry point (Krenn 2010). This can occur a number of times until the butterfly finds the entrance. The butterfly then lowers its proboscis, which has a distinct bend in it (Krenn 1990), at the base and the tip extends into the flower (Krenn 2010). The butterfly may have to adjust its body accordingly, depending on the shape and depth of the flower to ingest the nectar. Once the proboscis has been inserted into the flower it often pokes in and out (Krenn 2010) to gather information on the pollen by sensilla (Krenn 1997). Butterflies that collect pollen undergo coiling and uncoiling of the proboscis to make the pollen grains into a fluid that is then ingested along with its nutrients (Krenn 2010).
Non-nectar feeding
Butterflies that feed on fruit and decaying objects have a smaller proboscis than those that feed on nectar (Krenn 2010). On the tip of their proboscis there is a brush-like structure with many sensilla that aids in feeding by building up fluid (Krenn 2010). These butterflies perform a sweeping and jabbing action to ingest their fluid food (Krenn 2010). Butterflies that pierce soft fruit and dung have a short, thick proboscis with a pointed tip covered in sensilla (Krenn et al. 2001; Krenn 2010). They feed by penetrating the fruit in a soft place and moving forward and backwards whilst keeping the proboscis straight (Krenn 2010).
Evolution
A significant event in the evolution of mouthparts of Lepidoptera was the transformation of a simple galeae into a coilable and uncoilable proboscis (Krenn & Kristensen 2000). Evolution of the proboscis has also occurred due to the radiation of flowering plants (Krenn 2010). With plants producing different shapes and lengths of flowers, butterflies changed their feeding structures accordingly. Nectar-feeding butterflies have evolved in respect to their proboscis, increasing the length and flexibility of this structure allowing for the uptake of fluids from a variety of flower types (Krenn & Penz 1998). On the other hand, non-nectar feeding butterflies, through evolution, possess short brush-like structures suitable for their feeding mode (Krenn & Kristensen 2000). Characteristics that are common among all Lepidoptera are known as groundplan features. Sensilla and microtrichia (hair-like extensions of the cuticle) are recognised as groundplan features of Lepidoptera (Krenn & Kristensen 2000). Taxa lacking these features and instead having a smooth proboscis are thought to have evolved independently (Krenn & Kristensen 2000). The diversity of proboscises resulting from evolutionary processes has led to the identification of phylogenetic relationships between taxa (Krenn & Kristensen 2000).