The effect of color preferences on the foraging behavior of the green-veined white butterfly (Pieris napi L.)

The color preferences of the green-veined white butterfly Pieris napi (Linnaeus, 1758) that are associated with its foraging behavior were studied in experiments with artificial flower models. It was found that newly emerged inexperienced butterflies that are searching for food prefer flower models that are blue or red and select yellow ones at a considerably lower rate. With repeated visits on artificial flowers, P. napi individuals display are highly consistent in their preference for the first chosen color. Males and females of this species display similar color preferences.