Nectar sugar and amino acid preferences of Battus philenor (Lepidoptera, Papilionidae)

Butterflies of Battus philenor were tested for their preferences for nectar sugars and amino acids in an outdoor cage experiment. The butterflies clearly preferred both sucrose and fructose over glucose. They also preferred sucrose over fructose. No other preferences were found to be statistically significant, although male butterflies tended to prefer a plain sugar solution over a sugar solution containing a mixture of amino acids: females consumed both of these solutions in almost equal proportions. The results are discussed with respect to nectar composition of butterfly pollinated flowers, flower preferences, physiological and reproductive aspects of butterflies.