The colour of a butterflies wings can come from various sources. The whiteness of some butterflies and moths is caused by the wing structure which is colourless but contains tiny pockets of air and light is reflected. Both pigments and uric acid can also cause the whiteness. Some butterflies emit a flower-like aroma in order to attract mates and some male butterflies can smell attractive female butterflies from miles away. Many butterflies have their taste organs not on their antennae or tongues but on their front feet and taste a flower by touching it with some female butterflies using this method to determine if a plant is the right kind for them to lay their eggs on.
Butterflies are probably the only insects which can detect red as a separate colour .
Both moths and butterflies have very long tongues enabling them to reach the nectar of tubular shaped flowers. Many butterflies can also fly quickly in an erratic pattern which also helps to protect them from predators. Both the larva and butterflies have evolved many mechanisms to protect them from danger including an ability to blend into their backgrounds. The larva of some butterfly feed upon agricultural crops such as clover and cabbage classifying them as pests. Other butterfly larva are carnivorous and feed upon aphids.