Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: chris on 31/08/2018 14:12:34

Title: Can butterflies taste with their feet?
Post by: chris on 31/08/2018 14:12:34

On Twitter, Ryan Langeveldt - @RyanLangeveldt - asks:

Do butterflies have their tastebuds on their feet as they taste with their feet?

What does everyone think?

Title: Re: Can butterflies taste with their feet?
Post by: Colin2B on 01/09/2018 00:06:25

Yes indeed Ryan, butterflies have receptors on their legs that are similar to those in the taste buds of the human mouth, only 200 times stronger.
They don’t use these to detect food but to tell whether a leaf is suitable for caterpillars to eat, ie a good place to lay eggs, no nasty toxins etc.