Hummingbird and Butterfly Gardening: Can Butterflies see Colors? What's their favorite??, 1 by tabasco

tabasco wrote:
Hi, Everybody--

I'm beginning to obsess about butterflies in the garden and I was wondering if anyone knows if butterflies (I'm mainly interested in Swallowtails and Monarchs) are attracted to one color over another?

I am looking at Zinnias and wondering if the bright colors are better than the mauves, lavenders and pinks. Same thing for monardas. etc., etc. Some different zinnia's from Renee's Seeds:

http://www.reneesgarden.com/seeds/seeds-hm/flowersT.htm#zin

I guess I just assumed they liked red, but maybe not?

Your thoughts, please, O Wise Ones?! Thanks. t.