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News From the Field

Moths Wired Two Ways to Take Advantage of Floral Potluck


December 6, 2012

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Moths are able to enjoy a pollinator's buffet of flowers--in spite of being among the insect world's picky eaters--because of two distinct "channels" in their brains, scientists have discovered. One olfactory channel governs innate preferences of the palm-sized moths, insects capable of traveling miles in a single night in search of favored blossoms. The other allows them to learn about alternate sources of nectar.Full Story

Source
University of Washington

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