Butterflies are often considered as opportunistic nectar consumers that visit a range of flower species. The degree of specialisation in foraging behaviour and flower choice may, however, vary considerably at the inter-specific level, from highly specialised to generalist species. In generalist nectar use, there can be intra-specific variation in the availability and use of floral resources (diversity and abundance) among different populations. Knowing the preferences of nectar-feeding butterflies can increase the understanding of ecological relationships and resource use and help in developing better strategies for butterfly conservation.
Click on the link to read the rest of the article: Flower use of the butterfly Maniola jurtina in nectar-rich and nectar-poor grasslands: a nectar generalist with a strong preference? – Lebeau – 2017 – Insect Conservation and Diversity – Wiley Online Library