Butterflies comprise about 20,000 species, while there are about 120,000 moth species. Many of these insects are tropical, and many are endangered. Displayed in our Tropical Butterfly House are butterflies and moths from Neotropical and tropical regions of the New World and southeast Asia. Heliconius hecale 'Hecales Longwing' Morpho peleides 'Blue Morpho' The Proboscis and Feeding The long slender proboscis so typical of butterflies and moths is clearly well-adapted for reaching nectar at the base of narrowly tubular flowers, though it can be used for sucking up exposed liquids. Pollen of flowers visited is conveyed involuntarily by the insect on the proboscis or head.
Different species vary greatly in the length of their proboscis.
Such insects and the flowers they pollinate are clearly highly specialized. The tips of a proboscis are armed with numerous fine spines which are thought to be used for breaking open tissues of nectar-less flowers to release the sap. Many of the plants in the Butterfly House have been especially chosen to provide nectar for our butterflies. A Lantana provides a food source for the Postman and Zebra butterflies. A Vinca from South Africa provides nectar for many larger swallowtail butterflies.