Check back later in the summer for a key to the butterflies and caterpillars in the Cofrin Arboretum. Importance of Butterflies Butterflies are an integral part of plant reproduction. Butterflies and the flowers they feed on have evolved together over 150 million years as ecological partners. The flowers have evolved colors, shapes, and nectaries that attract and feed butterflies, but they also have evolved mechanisms to dust the insects with pollen. Each time a butterfly moves to a new flower it deposits pollen and ensures flowers will be fertilized.
Flowers are often tube shaped to accomodate the long butterfly tongues.
However, long flower tubes prevent short-tongued insects, like flies or bees that do not transfer pollen from stealing the nectar.