The lowly petunia is not only easy to grow,
it is also a draw for many butterflies, such as this orange sulphur, also often called an alfafa sulphur.
Not every butterfly can reach the nectar that is deep inside the petunia.
According to Kris Wetherbee's article 'Gardening for Butterflies' for Audubon Magazine, skippers, monarchs and painted ladies have long tongues, swallowtails and most whites and sulphurs have medium-length tongues, and many brushfoot butterflies have very short tongues. Though in general, butterflies have nothing on many moths - the proboscis of some sphinx or hawk moths can measure up to 14 inches!
For this small petunia, the orange sulphur has no problem reaching the nectar. However the deeper petunia blossoms apparently require some
s t r e t c h i n g ...
to get one's fill of sweet petunia nectar.
