Peppered Moth Simulation
Peppered Moth Simulation
Peppered Moth Simulation
The economic changes known as the industrial revolution began in the middle of the
eighteenth century. Since then, tons of soot have been deposited on the countryside
around industrial areas. The soot discoloured and generally darkened the surfaces of
trees and rocks. In 1848, a dark-coloured moth was first recorded. Today, in some
areas, 90% or more of the-peppered moths are dark in colour. More than 70 species of
moth in England have undergone a change from light to dark. Similar observations have
been made in other industrial nations, including the United States.
Data and Analysis Read the background information and answer the
questions as you go.
The reason the moths get their name—peppered moths—is because their wings look
very similar to lichens.
The animals that eat the peppered moths are flycatchers, nuthatches and the European
robin.
3. What is a lichen?
Lichens are a complex life form that is the result of a mutually beneficial relationship
between two separate organisms, a fungus and an alga.
The larvae on the moth eat on the leaves of birch, willow, and oak trees.
6. Moths that have more dark spots than the average moth are called what?
Moths that have darker sports than the average are called insularia.
Impact of Pollution
7. Where was the first black form of the moth found?
the first black from of the black moth was found in manchester in 1848
Natural selection was proposed by Charles Darwin to explain how new species evolve.
12. What is industrial melanism?
The term "industrial melanism" describes the evolutionary event observed in a number
of animal species that inhabit areas that have been darkened by industrial pollution.
Kettlewell's Experiments
13. What is an entomologist?
An entomologist is a scientist that studies insects.
14. How do scientists test theories?
By formulating predictions based on theories, scientists test their hypotheses. After that,
they test the prediction to see if what they see aligns with what they had anticipated.
Dr. Kettlewell observed both light and dark moths on tree trunks in order to directly
investigate bird predation on the moths. He noted each time a bird discovered the moth.
He discovered that birds were twice as likely to eat a light moth as a dark moth on dark
tree trunks.
19. When Kettlewell recaptured the marked moths, what did he find?
Kettlewell moths were recaptured in greater numbers than light moths in polluted
woodland.
20. Where did Kettlewell publish his findings?
In 1959
Birdseye View
21. 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.
Final Analysis
percent dark moths percent light moths
light forest 64% 36%
Dark forest 83% 17%
22. Explain how the color of the moths increases or decreases their chances of survival.
The light-colored moths became more visible as the trees darkened with soot. They
were increasingly eaten by birds, while the rare dark-colored moths blended in better on
the darker trees. As a result, the dark-colored moths fared better.
23. Explain the concept of "natural selection" using your moths as an example.
24. What would happen if there were no predators in the forest? Would the colors of the
moths change over time? Defend your answer?
They wouldn't alter because they already possessed the genetic potential to do so.
They also wouldn't require the ability to blend in with their surroundings or stand out
from predators.