Air pollution makes flower odours unattractive to moths: Study

Researchers said high ozone air pollution causes tobacco hawkmoths to lose attraction to the scent of their preferred flowers which has been altered by ozone. "We were surprised...that the innate attraction...was completely lost in the presence of increased ozone levels," a researcher said. However, hawkmoths quickly learn that an unpleasantly polluted scent may lead to nutritious nectar.