CULT: iris borers - how do they know?

Hello All,

I posed a somewhat tongue in cheek question on the Iris Forum this 
evening, but now I've got myself really wondering about it.  Does anyone 
know how borers identify the irises they consume as larvae or the 
location/plant material on which they lay their eggs as moths?  Do they 
identify their targets by sight, by smell, by taste, by touch, or by some 
other sensory mechanism?  It would seem to me the first line of defense 
to understand exactly how and why they are attracted to irises in the 
first place.  Does anybody know?

Curiously,

Laurie
zone 3b northern MN where we have experienced our first couple of heavy 
frosts already, prompting me to cut stalks on 5 tried-to-rebloomers to 
bring inside.  So far so good, they all seem to be continuing to mature 
their buds in the vase.

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