Flower foraging behavior in the nectar feeding moth Hemaris
(Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) a mimic of Bombus (Hymenoptera:
Apidae) From 14-26 August, 2010, I observed a patch of 25
Cirsium discolor flowers. When a pollinator entered the patch, I
noted whether the pollinator was Hemaris sp., Bombus sp., or
Papilio glaucus. That individual was observed for the duration
of its visit to the patch. We counted the number of probes into
each C. discolor inflorescence. If the next flower visited was
within the patch, the number of probes taken in the
inflorescence was recorded. Observations continued until the
pollinator exited the patch. This procedure was repeated each
time a Hemaris, Bombus, or P. glaucus entered the patch. Though
they mimic Bombus morphologically, Hemaris do not forage in the
manner of Bombus or P. glaucus in this system. Hemaris visit
significantly fewer flowers per foraging bout than Bombus or P.
glaucus, and probe flowers significantly fewer times than either
of the other pollinators. Hemaris moths