Variation in Nectar and Pollen Availability, Sucrose Preference, and Daily Response in the Use of Flowers by Heliconius erato phyllis Elisete A. Barp & Geraldo L. G. Soares & Erica J. M. Giani & Daniela Rodrigues & Gilson R. P. Moreira Revised: 8 October 2010 / Accepted: 10 November 2010 / Published online: 1 December 2010 # Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010 Abstract The mechanisms mediating the use of flowers in the butterfly Heliconius erato phyllis (Nymphalidae) are poorly understood. Availability of nectar and pollen, nectar concentration, and abundance of Stachytarpheta cayennensis and Lantana camara (Verbenaceae), two flower species commonly used by H. erato phyllis in the Neotropics, as well as flower use by this butterfly species in the field were examined in southern Brazil. Under insectary conditions, the preference of H. erato phyllis for different sucrose concentrations (0, 10, 20, 40, and 80%) and the ability to associate sucrose concentrations with preferred and non-preferred flower colors were evaluated through choice tests. Lantana camara inflorescences were less abundant, but contained larger amounts of pollen and nectar than S. cayennensis, and H. erato J Insect Behav (2011) 24:200–219 DOI 10.1007/s10905-010-9248-2 E. A. Barp : G. R. P. Moreira Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Instituto de Biociências, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil E. A. Barp Universidade do Contestado, Concórdia, SC, Brazil G. L. G. Soares Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biociências, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil E. J. M. Giani : G. R. P. Moreira Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biociências, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil D. Rodrigues Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil G. R. P. Moreira Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil D. Rodrigues (*) Departamento de Biologia Animal, IB Universidade Estadual de Campinas, PO Box 6109, CEP 13.083-970 Campinas, SP, Brazil e-mail: dani_rodrig@yahoo.com.br