Caring for Pollinators - Bundesamt für Naturschutz

Hamm & Wittmann Fact sheet pollinators: Butterflies and Moth (Lepidoptera)
Cananga odorata (Annonaceae); Ylang-Ylang Pachira aquatica (Malvaceae); Chestnut of
America
Carica papaya (Caricaceae); Papaya Trichosanthes cucumerina (Cucurbitaceae);
Snakegourd
Carissa edulis (Apocynaceae); Egyptian Carissa Yucca filamentosa (Agavaceae); Yucca
Lagenaria siceraria (Cucurbitaceae); Bottle
Gourd
Butterflies/Moths and biodiversity:
Much of the diversity of moth pollinated plants originates from variations of the length of the
floral tubes. Tube length and length of the mouthparts of butterflies and moths are shaped by
co-evolution. This happened in many different angiosperm families. Between lepidopteras
and plants some highly specific mutualistic relationships evolved.
For example moth of the genus Tegeticula (Perdoxidae) have a special impact on the
reproduction of some yucca – plants, due to their behaviour inside the flowers. During their
visits they actively pollinate the flowers with their front legs and their mouthparts.
Several hawk moth (Sphingidae) have a extremely long proboscis. Therefore, while hovering
and taking up nectar the insect will not get into contact with the flower. The advantage of the
long proboscis is that it keeps the insect in a secure distance from hunting spiders which
await their pray at flowers.
Butterflies Moth
Anacamptis pyramidalis (Orchidaceae) Angraecum sesquipedale (Orchidaceae)
Bougainvillea spectabilis (Nyctanigaceae) Calystegia sepium (Convolvulaceae)
Cardamine pratensis (Brassicaeae) Capparis spinosa (Capparaceae)
Centranthus ruber (Valerianaceae) Lilium martagon (Liliaceae)
Dianthus deltoides (Caryophyllaceae) Lonicera caprifolium (Caprifoliaceae)
Gentiana verna (Gentianaceae) Oenothera biennis (Onagraceae)
Gymnadenia conopsea (Orchidaceae) Phlox spp. (Polemoniaceae)
Lilium bulbiferum (Liliaceae) Platathera bifolia (Orchidaceae)
Narcissus poeticus (Amaryllidaceae) Platanthera chlorantha (Orchidaceae)
Phlox spp. (Polemoniaceae) Silene nutans (Caryophyllaceae)
Silene dioica (Caryophyllaceae) Yucca filamentosa (Agavaceae)
Viola calcarata (Violaceae)
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