This moth may outsmart smog by learning to like pollution-altered aromas

Scientists taught tobacco hawkmoths that an ozone-affected scent is from a favorite flower

tobacco hawkmoth drinking from a plant

At twilight, the tobacco hawkmoth sips nectar from sweet-smelling jasmine tobacco plants, pollinating as it goes.

Anna Schroll

Pollution can play havoc with pollinators’ favorite flower smells. But one kind of moth can learn how to take to an unfamiliar new scent like, well, a moth to a flame.