Name:
Date:
Peppered Moth Simulation Lab
Objectives:
Describe the importance of coloration in avoiding predation
Relate environmental change to changes in organisms
Explain how natural selection causes populations to change
Materials:
Sheet of black paper
Sheet of newspaper
Tweezers
Crayons
Clock/Timer
30 Newspaper moths
30 black moths
Purpose:
In this lab you will simulate how predators locate their prey in different environments. You will also
analyze how color affects an organism’s ability to survive in certain environments.
The Peppered Moth:
When a population adapts in response to pollution levels it is called Industrial Melanism. Rapid
industrial melanism occurred in populations of peppered moths in the area of Manchester, England
between 1845 and 1890. Before the industrial revolution, the trunks of the tress in the forests around
Manchester were light grayish-green because of the presence of lichens. Most of the peppered moths in
the area were light colored with dark spots (like the one in the picture on the right!). As the industrial
revolution progressed the tree trunks became covered with soot and grime and turned dark. Over the
forty-five year period more and more dark moths (like the one in the picture on the left!) were seen and
fewer light colored moths were observed.
Procedure:
1. Get into partners. Determine who will be the ‘predator’ first and who will be the ‘scientist’.
2. Place a sheet of black paper on the table and have the ‘scientist’ spread 30 black moths and 30
newspaper moths over the surface when the ‘predator’ isn’t looking.
3. The ‘predator’ will then use the tweezers to catch as many moths as they can in 15 seconds.
4. This trail will be repeated with the combinations listed in the observation table. They are: newspaper
moths on newspaper, black moths on newspaper, newspaper moths on black paper, and black moths on
black paper.
5. The scientist records the number of moths the predator caught in their partners observation chart.
6. Answer the post lab questions – can do this as a class!
Name:
Date:
Observation Chart:
Trail
Background
Starting Population
Newspaper
Black
Black
30
30
Black
0
30
Newspaper
30
30
Newspaper
30
0
Number Picked Up
Newspaper
Black
1
2
3
4
Use your observations to answer the following questions!
Analysis:
1. What did the experiment show about how prey animals are selected by predators?
2. What moth coloration is the best adaptation for a dark background? How do you know this?
3. What would you expect the next generation of moths to look like after trial 1? After trial 3? Why?
Name:
Date:
4. How does this lab simulation model natural selection?
5. Use the following data and make a line graph on the grid paper provided. Remember to plot time on
the X-axis and number of moths captured on the Y-axis. There will be two lines on your graph. Use
crayons to color in your lines, make sure you include labels for the axis, a legend and a title.
Year
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
# Light Moths
Captured
549
432
399
267
223
189
136
92
51
# Dark Moths
Captured
116
194
233
291
345
413
498
548
596
6. What does your graph show? How do you know this?
7. Think about current events, global issues, or things you have seen in nature around you. Now come
up with a situation where this type of selection might occur? Briefly explain your idea and do a quick
sketch showing what the adaptations look like.
Name:
Date: