Peppered Moth Game Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

Where do peppered moths live?

England, Europe, and North America.

How do the moth larvae survive predators?

Having a body that looks like a stick helps the larvae hide from predators.

What do the moths do during the winter?

They change into pupae.

What color is the 'typica' version of the moths?

Light. Signup and view all the answers

What color is the 'carbonaria' version?

Dark/Black. Signup and view all the answers

How do adult moths survive predation?

Avoiding predators in the day, and at night. They also are able to camouflage into the trees. Signup and view all the answers

What was the industrial revolution?

In England, factories were being built. They ran by burning coal for fuel. The result was a dark smoke that covered the surrounding countryside. Trees that had been light and covered by lichens now were dark and bare. Signup and view all the answers

What was causing the change in the color of the moths?

The trees were now dark and bare. Some think that they changed naturally; others say that they were affected by the chemicals. The genetics in the moths had color and the ones passing the genes were the dark ones, hence having them pass the genes on. Signup and view all the answers

Why would dark moths have an advantage?

The dark moths have an advantage with being able to blend in with the dark trees. Signup and view all the answers

What is an entomologist?

Entomologists are people who study insects, as a career, as amateurs, or both. Signup and view all the answers

How do scientists test theories?

By making predictions based on the theory and then testing the predictions to see if their observation matches the expectation. Signup and view all the answers

Dr. Kettlewell predicted that clean forests would have light colored moths, and polluted forests would have dark colored moths.

True Signup and view all the answers

How did Kettlewell test his hypothesis?

Dr. Kettlewell placed light and dark moths on the trunks of trees where he could observe them. He recorded the times a bird found the moth. Signup and view all the answers

How did Kettlewell determine if moths lived longer than others?

Kettlewell placed light and dark moths on the trunks of trees where he could observe them. He recorded the times a bird found the moth. He found that on dark tree trunks, birds were twice as likely to eat a light moth as a dark moth. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how the color of the moths increases or decreases their chances of survival.

If their color is the same as their environment their chance of survival increases because the predator can't see them, and if their color is different from their environment, it is opposite. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the concept of natural selection using your moths as an example.

If they matched the tree, they were harder to find, having an advantage over the other moths of the other color. Signup and view all the answers

Predict what would happen if there were no predators in the forest. Would the moth colors have changed? Why or why not?

No, they would not change because they already had the genetics to change, and they would have no need for camouflage from predators and no need to be darker or light. Signup and view all the answers

If pollution near factories was reduced, what would happen to the color of the moths? Explain your answer.

I think there would still be dark moths but maybe the colors lighten up a bit. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Peppered Moth Overview

Peppered moths inhabit England, Europe, and North America.
Moth larvae camouflage as sticks, helping them evade predators.

Moth Lifecycle

During winter, peppered moths undergo a transformation into pupae.

Color Variations

The typical (typica) peppered moth is light in color.
The carbonaria version of the moth is dark or black.

Survival Strategies

Adult moths avoid daytime predation and utilize nocturnal camouflage among trees.

Industrial Revolution Impact

Factories in England burned coal, producing dark smoke that transformed the landscape.
Light-colored trees covered in lichens became dark and bare, influencing moth survival.

Color and Survival Advantage

Dark moths blend in with soot-covered trees, providing them a predation advantage.

Entomology

Entomologists are professionals who study insects, either as a career or avocation.

Scientific Methodology

Scientists formulate predictions based on theories and test them to compare observations against expectations.

Kettlewell's Hypothesis

Dr. Kettlewell theorized that clean forests would host light moths, while polluted forests would favor dark moths.

Kettlewell's Experiment

He conducted tests by placing light and dark moths on tree trunks, recording bird predation rates.
Observations indicated that lighter moths were more frequently preyed upon on dark trunks.

Survival and Camouflage

The likelihood of survival increases if a moth's color matches its environment, making it harder for predators to detect.

Natural Selection Concept

Moths that matched tree colors had an advantage over differently colored counterparts, enhancing their survival.

Absence of Predators

In predator-free forests, moth coloration would likely remain unchanged as camouflage would become irrelevant.

Pollution Reduction Effects

If pollution diminishes, moth populations might still contain dark specimens, but a gradual shift to lighter colors could occur.

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Description

Test your knowledge about the peppered moth with these flashcards. Learn where they live, how their larvae survive, and their winter behaviors. Perfect for students studying ecology and evolution.