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Peppered Moth Simulation

The document summarizes the life cycle and evolution of the peppered moth in response to environmental changes caused by the Industrial Revolution. It describes how the moth exists in light and dark color variations, and how the dark form first emerged in polluted industrial areas due to their camouflage advantage against predators. Experiments showed dark moths had higher survival rates in polluted forests where their coloration provided better camouflage from birds, demonstrating natural selection leading to changes in the moth population over time.

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WWIIBUFF44
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212 views3 pages

Peppered Moth Simulation

The document summarizes the life cycle and evolution of the peppered moth in response to environmental changes caused by the Industrial Revolution. It describes how the moth exists in light and dark color variations, and how the dark form first emerged in polluted industrial areas due to their camouflage advantage against predators. Experiments showed dark moths had higher survival rates in polluted forests where their coloration provided better camouflage from birds, demonstrating natural selection leading to changes in the moth population over time.

Uploaded by

WWIIBUFF44
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Life Cycle of the Peppered Moth

1.​ ​Why are these moths called "peppered moths?"


a.​ ​Because they have small black “peppered” spots on their white body

2.​ W
​ hat animals eat the peppered moth?
a.​ ​Flycatchers, Nuthatches, European robin.

3.​ W
​ hat is a lichen?
a.​ ​Small fungi

4.​ W
​ hat do the larvae of the moth eat?
a.​ ​Leaves of birch willow and oak trees

5.​ H
​ ow do peppered moths spend the winter?

a.​ ​In pupae’s

6.​ M
​ oths that have more dark spots than the average moth are called what?
a.​ ​Insularia

Impact of Pollution
7. Where was the first black form of the moth found?
a.​ ​The center of Manchester in 1848

8. What was the Industrial Revolution?


a.​ ​It was a time of industrial renaissance, many factories were being built, and all used
coal

9.What was causing the different colors in the moths?


a.​ ​Natural selection and mutations

10.​ ​What is natural selection?


a.​ ​If something allows an organism to survive longer, they pass it on and it becomes
more common
11.​ ​Who suggested that peppered moths were an example of natural selection?
a. J.W.Tutt

12.​ ​What is industrial melanism?


a. A phenomenon where animals in coal-heavy areas, start to get a darker tint.

Kettlewell's Experiments
13.​ ​What is an entomologist?
a. A scientist who studies insects.

14.​ ​How do scientists test theories?


a. They make predictions based on their theory and then they test their theory.

15.​ ​Write down ONE of Kettlewell's predictions.


a. The forest that is more polluted will have darker moths

16.​ ​Dark moths were found in what parts of the country?


a. They were found near big polluting cities

17.​ ​Why did dark moths have a survival advantage?


a. Birds are more likely to eat white moth than a black in the polluted

18.​ ​When Kettlewell recaptured the marked moths, what did he find?
The moths that were darker moths that matched their environment survived better.

19.​ ​Where did Kettlewell publish his findings?


​In Scientific American
Birdseye View
Open the simulation and play the role of the bird in both the dark and the light forest. Try to
behave as a bird would behave, choosing the moths that are the most obvious. At the end of
each simulation, record the percent of moths captured in the table below.
Type of Forest Light Moths (%) Dark Moths (5)
Light Forest 76 24

Dark Forest 41 59

Final Analysis
20.​ ​Explain how the color of the moths increases or decreases their chances of survival.
a. The black ones were more likely to survive as they were more camouflaged with the
trees. The white ones stood out and were mostly eaten

21.​ ​Explain the concept of "natural selection" using your moths as an example.
a. Because their wings helped them blend in with their environment, dark moths did
much better in the dark forest while light moths' population decreased. Dark moths
ended up surviving better in these environments.

22.​ ​What would happen if there were no predators in the forest? Would the colors of the moths
change over time? Defend your answer?
a. White would be the majority, but probably darker from are the soot still. Yes, the color
would change a bit over time cause of the soot getting into the cocoons. As white is the
majority it should stay that way cause there are no predators to kill them off.

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