Directions: Use the information provided and your knowledge of Life Science to answer the following questions. Show all work where necessary.
Directions: Use the information provided and your knowledge of Life Science to answer the following questions. Show all work where necessary.
Many butterflies have wing patterns that help them avoid predators. Some species, such as the viceroy butterfly, resemble other species like the monarch, which are toxic to birds. This type of variation, called mimicry, gives butterflies that look more like the toxic species a better chance of survival.
Researchers from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute studied how different wing pattern variations affected bird attack rates in a mixed butterfly population. They recorded how often each pattern type was attacked when released in a forest with native bird predators.
Wing Pattern Type | Description Predator | Attack Rate (%) | Survival Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
Bright Orange, Monarch-like | Strong mimic | 10 | 90 |
Partially Orange/Black | Moderate mimic | 25 | 75 |
Light Brown | Weak mimic | 55 | 45 |
All butterflies in this study belong to the same species, but variation in wing pattern affected their chances of being eaten. Birds avoided those that resembled the toxic monarch and attacked the duller ones more often. This selective advantage means butterflies with patterns closer to the monarch’s are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing their pattern traits on to the next generation.
This phenomenon provides strong evidence that variations in characteristics within a species can offer advantages in survival and reproduction. The butterflies with the most effective mimicry survive longer and produce more offspring - a direct example of natural selection acting on variation.
Make a claim, provide the evidence, and explain your reasoning for the statement:
“Butterflies that more closely mimic toxic species survive better.”
Respond with a clear claim, at least one piece of data from the table or graphs as evidence, and reasoning that connects the evidence to your claim.
Refer to Table 1 in the Butterfly Wing Pattern and Predator Avoidance resource.
Describe the relationship between wing pattern type, predator attack rate, and survival rate.
Why do butterflies that look more like toxic monarchs survive better?
How is the wing pattern trait related to inheritance and variation?
Explain how changes in the environment or predator behavior could affect which butterfly wing patterns become most common.