A hawkmoth's point of view - Innate symmetry preferences are informed by floral display and foraging function in an insect pollinator

Innate radial versus bilateral symmetry preferences in the hummingbird hawkmoth (Macroglossum stellatarum) depend on floral display plane, and the preferred patterns improve foraging success.

• Why it matters: It was unclear whether naive hawkmoths use innate symmetry-type preferences to choose flowers and whether those preferences translate into functional benefits during hovering foraging.
• What they did: The study tested innate symmetry choice in horizontal versus vertical floral display planes using choice assays, then tracked hawkmoths during foraging to measure approach and nectary search.
• The result: In both display planes, innately preferred symmetry patterns increased foraging success by guiding approach and nectary search, and vertically displayed plant species often matched the hawkmoths’ preferred features.

AI summary of the abstract · may contain errors · not medical advice · read the paper.