The idea of stepping on your food might sound utterly repulsive—but not for butterflies. As weird as it may sound, it’s true: Butterflies taste with their feet.
Butterflies possess a tube-like feeding structure called a proboscis, which enables them to feed upon nectar or juices. However, while the proboscis may look like the butterfly equivalent of a tongue, it actually does not have any taste sensors.
Instead, a butterfly’s taste sensors are located underneath its feet, allowing it to “taste” whether a leaf is suitable for laying eggs on (as it will become food for the butterfly’s caterpillars once the eggs hatch).
Today’s Science History Milestone: On September 16, 1987, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was signed. It is an international treaty to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of substances that diminish it.
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Cover image: Shutterstock
References
- https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2018/09/insects-butterflies-anatomy-senses-animals/
- http://biointerestingfacts.blogspot.com/2007/01/butterflies-taste-with-their-feet.html
Author: Mikael Angelo Francisco
Bitten by the science writing bug, Mikael has years of writing and editorial experience under his belt. As the editor-in-chief of FlipScience, Mikael has sworn to help make science more fun and interesting for geeky readers and casual audiences alike.
