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Peppered Moth Simulation

Objective: Simulate changes in moth population due to pollution and predation, and
observe how species can change over time.
Introduction:Charles Darwin accumulated a tremendous collection of facts to
support the theory of evolution by natural selection. One of his difficulties in
demonstrating the theory, however, was the lack of an example of evolution over a short
period of time, which could be observed as it was taking place in nature. Although
Darwin was unaware of it, remarkable examples of evolution, which might have helped
to persuade people of his theory, were in the countryside of his native England. One
such example is the evolution of the peppered moth Biston betularia.

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.

Instructions: Click the link below to read information on Kettlewell's study of

moths. At the end, you will run two simulations for 5 mins each, during this time you will
play the part of a bluejay that eats moths.After 5 mins record the % of dark moths and
light moths - you will need this information later. Peppered Moth
Simulation: peppermoths.weebly.com

Data and Analysis Read the background information and answer the
questions as you go.

Life Cycle of the Peppered Moth

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

The reason the moths get their name—peppered moths—is because their wings look
very similar to lichens.

2. What animals eat the peppered moth?

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.

4. What do the larvae of the moth eat?

The larvae on the moth eat on the leaves of birch, willow, and oak trees.

5. How do peppered moths spend the winter?

Peppered moths change into cocoons in the winter to avoid death.

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

8. What was the Industrial Revolution?

The Industrial Revolution defined the transition from handcrafting goods to the use of
machines.
9. What was causing the different colors in the moths?
What was causing the different colors in the moth was mutation in the DNA of a single
moth.
10. What is natural selection?
The process by which populations of living things alter and adapt is known as natural
selection.
11. Who suggested that peppered moths were an example of natural selection?

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.

15. Write down ONE of Kettlewell's predictions:

Dr. Kettlewell reasoned that if natural selection was responsible for the change in the
moth population, then the following is true: Dark-peeled moths are likely to dominate
heavily polluted forests.

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

close to England's industrial cities and in rural areas by factory soot.

17. How did Kettlewell directly study the moths?

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.

18. Why did dark moths have a survival advantage?

Because dark peppered moths blended in better with trees that had been darkened by
soot and pollution..

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.

The peppered moths, according to Tutt, are an illustration of natural selection. He

realized that in the shadowy forest, the light moth's disguise was ineffective. Because
they can survive longer in a dark forest, dark moths had more time to procreate. The
laws of natural selection apply to all living things.

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.