The evolution of columbine flowers in North America was recorded and documented. Two varieties of this flower were researched - the red columbines, which hummingbirds pollinate, and white or yellow columbines, which are pollinated by hawkmoths. It is believed that a shift from red, white or yellow has occurred five times in North America.
Senior author Scott A. Hodges said, "What is important in this research is that hawkmoths mostly visit — and pollinate — white or pale flowers. We have shown experimentally that hawkmoths prefer these paler colors."
Hummingbirds usually pollinate red plants, but the color of flowers changes if pollinators change through natural selection. So if hawkmoths pollinate a plant population, they will slowly be changed to a lighter color.
Scientists find these results necessary because this might show how evolution can be predicted.