Peppered Moths - 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?

Their bodies look like sticks, which hides them and helps them survive predators.

What do the moths do during the winter?

They change into pupae (cocoons).

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

Dark, almost black Signup and view all the answers

How do adult moths survive predation?

They fly at night and rest during the day. They also have extra camouflage to help hide them. Signup and view all the answers

What was the industrial revolution?

The industrial revolution was when factories were being built, and they ran by burning coal for fuel, resulting in a dark smoke that covered the surrounding countryside. Signup and view all the answers

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

A DNA mutation (The color is genetic). Signup and view all the answers

What is natural selection?

All types of living things have small differences between the individuals in the species. If one of those differences allows the individuals to live longer, they will likely have more offspring. As the trait is passed on, the population starts to look more like the successful individual over time, and the species change. Signup and view all the answers

Why would dark moths have an advantage?

They live longer in a dark forest. 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?

By making predictions based on the theory, and then testing the predictions to see if what they observe matches their explanations. Signup and view all the answers

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

mostly light _ dark Signup and view all the answers

How did Kettlewell test his hypothesis?

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

How did Kettlewell determine if moths lived longer than others?

By tracking down data of dark moths living in dark forests and light forests and light moths living in light and dark forests. Signup and view all the answers

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

In a light forest, light moths have an increase of chance of survival because they camouflage better, while dark moths have a decrease of chance of survival because they stand out in light forests. Signup and view all the answers

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

The concept of natural selection is that successful traits lead to successful individuals and that species change over time. The camouflage of the dark-colored moths are traits that pass down to other moths, because they have successful traits in polluted forests. 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?

If there were no predators in the forest, there would be no need for dark-colored moths. So, the moth color wouldn't have changed because light-colored moths have no need to be afraid. Signup and view all the answers

If pollution was reduced late in the century, what would happen to the color of the moths? Explain your answer.

I believe that light-colored moths would have an increase in population because polluted forests would become clean again. Signup and view all the answers

How do we know that the moths evolved?

We know that the moths evolved because at some point, a light-colored moth's offspring was to a dark-colored moth. This small genetic change for color made light-colored moths evolve to dark-colored to adapt and survive in their environment. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Habitat and Appearance

Peppered moths are found in England, Europe, and North America.
Larvae mimic sticks to avoid predation, enhancing their survival chances.
Moths enter a pupal stage (cocoon) during winter.

Color Variants

"Typica" version is light-colored, while "carbonaria" version is dark, almost black.
The color differences in moths are influenced by genetic mutations.

Behavior and Survival

Adult moths are nocturnal, resting during the day to avoid predators, with added camouflage for protection.
The Industrial Revolution introduced coal-burning factories, resulting in dark smoke that polluted environments.

Natural Selection

Natural selection leads to species adaptation through variations that allow some individuals to survive and reproduce more effectively.
Dark moths have a survival advantage in dark forests due to better camouflage.

Scientific Methodology

Entomologists study insects, including peppered moths, to understand their behaviors and adaptations.
Scientists test hypotheses by making predictions and observing if outcomes match expectations.

Kettlewell's Experiments

Dr. Kettlewell predicted that light-colored moths would thrive in clean forests, while dark moths would prosper in polluted ones.
He placed light and dark moths on tree trunks, tracking their predation by birds to test his hypothesis.
Data collection involved observing survival rates of moths in various forest conditions.

Survival Mechanisms

In light forests, light moths are favored due to superior camouflage compared to dark moths, and vice versa in dark forests.
Coloration directly impacts survival chances based on environmental conditions.

Evolutionary Implications

Natural selection explains how successful traits, like camouflage, are passed down through generations in moth populations.
In a predator-free environment, there would be little evolutionary pressure for color change in moths.

Impact of Pollution

Reducing pollution near factories would likely lead to an increase in light-colored moth populations as clean forests would favor their camouflage.

Evidence of Evolution

Moths have evolved from light-colored to dark-colored due to mutations that provided better survival in changing environments, exemplifying the process of evolution.

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Description

Test your knowledge on peppered moths with these flashcards that cover their habitats, survival strategies, and lifecycle stages. Perfect for students studying ecology or entomology. Each card includes key terms and definitions to enhance your understanding.