Foraging on common morphs will be beneficial if these common morphs are associated with a higher reward than rare morphs. However, if rare morphs have similar nectar quality, skipping over these equally rewarding flowers appears to be inconsistent with optimal foraging theory.MacArthur, RH and ER Pianka. 1966. On the optimal use of a patchy environment. Am. Nat., 100. Several hypotheses have been proposed to suggest how this visitation pattern is maintained.
