Peppered Moths and Natural Selection

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Questions and Answers

Why are these moths called 'peppered moths'?

Their light wings are peppered with small dark spots.

What animals eat the peppered moth?

Predators of the peppered moth include flycatchers, nuthatches, and the European robin.

What is a lichen?

A lichen is actually two organisms functioning as a single, stable unit, made up of a fungus and an algae.

What do the larvae of the moth eat?

Larvae feed on the leaves of birch, willow, and oak trees. Signup and view all the answers

How do peppered moths spend the winter?

Peppered moth larvae change into pupae for the winter. Signup and view all the answers

Moths that have more dark spots than the average moth are called?

Insularia. Signup and view all the answers

Where was the first black form of the moth found?

Near the centre of Manchester. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Industrial Revolution?

A period of time when factory-made items replaced the making of goods by hand, resulting in more factories being built. Signup and view all the answers

What was causing the different color in the moths?

The dark color was caused by a mutation in the DNA of a single moth, which was passed to all its offspring. Signup and view all the answers

What is natural selection?

An idea that explains how new species evolve from a common ancestor. Signup and view all the answers

Who suggested that peppered moths were an example of natural selection?

J.W. Tutt. Signup and view all the answers

What is industrial melanism?

The effect of the moths darkening in polluted forests. Signup and view all the answers

What is an entomologist?

A scientist who studies insects. Signup and view all the answers

How do scientists test theories?

They first make a prediction based on the theory, then test the prediction. Signup and view all the answers

Write down ONE of Kettlewell's predictions.

Heavily polluted forests will have mostly dark peppered moths; non-polluted forests will have mostly light colored moths. Signup and view all the answers

Dark moths were found in what parts of the country?

In industrial cities. Signup and view all the answers

How did Kettlewell directly study the moths?

He placed light and dark moths on the trunks of trees. Signup and view all the answers

Why did dark moths have a survival advantage?

Because they could blend in with the dark trees. Signup and view all the answers

When Kettlewell recaptured the moths, what did he find?

He found that if the moth's color matched the environment, it had a better chance of survival. Signup and view all the answers

Where did Kettlewell publish his findings?

Scientific American. Signup and view all the answers

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

Dark moths survive better in a forest with dark trees because their wings blend in, camouflaging them from predators. If their wings were a different color, their chances of survival would decrease. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the concept of 'Natural Selection' using your moths as an example.

Because their wings helped them blend in with their environment, dark moths thrived in the dark forest while light moths' population decreased. Dark moths evolved to better survive in their environment. Signup and view all the answers

What would happen if there were no predators in the forest? Would the colors of the moths change over time? Defend your answer.

No, both kinds of moths would thrive. There would be no predators picking them off, so there would be no reason why their populations wouldn't continue to increase. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Peppered Moth Overview

Named for their light wings "peppered" with small dark spots.
Original dark coloration mutation occurred in a single moth's DNA.

Predators and Diet

Common predators include flycatchers, nuthatches, and European robins.
Larvae feed on leaves of birch, willow, and oak trees.

Life Cycle and Adaptation

Moths undergo a pupal stage in winter for survival.
Moths exhibiting darker coloration are referred to as Insularia.

Historical Context

First black form discovered near Manchester.
Industrial Revolution marked the shift from handmade goods to factory production, resulting in increased pollution.

Natural Selection and Evolution

Natural selection describes how species evolve from common ancestors.
J.W. Tutt suggested peppered moths as a case study for natural selection.
Industrial melanism refers to the adaptation of moths to darker environments due to pollution.

Research Methodology

Entomologist studies focus on insects, including the peppered moth.
Kettlewell tested predictions by observing moth populations in polluted vs. non-polluted forests.
He predicted that dark moths would dominate in polluted areas, while lighter moths would prevail in cleaner regions.

Experimental Findings

Moths matching their environment had higher survival rates, as evidenced by Kettlewell’s research.
Direct observations involved placing light and dark moths on tree trunks, confirming camouflage benefits.

The Role of Predators

Dark moths benefit from blending with dark trees, enhancing survival chances.
In a predator-free environment, both moth color variants would thrive without any selection pressure.

Publication and Impact

Kettlewell published his findings in Scientific American, contributing significantly to evolutionary biology.

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Description

Explore the fascinating life cycle and adaptation of peppered moths, including their coloration changes due to environmental factors. This quiz covers the historical context of their evolution, focusing on natural selection and the impact of the Industrial Revolution. Test your knowledge on the predators, diet, and research methodologies related to these remarkable insects.