Peppered Moth Simulation
Background: Peppered moths are nocturnal and are hunted by birds.
Camouflage plays an important role in their survival. Industrial melanism is a term used to describe the adaptation of a population in response to pollution. One example of rapid industrial melanism occurred in populations of peppered moths in the area of Manchester, England from 1845 to 1890.
Before the industrial revolution, the trunks of the trees in the forest around
Manchester were light due to the presence of lichens. Most of the peppered moths in the area were light colored with dark spots. As the industrial revolution progressed, the tree trunks became covered with soot and turned dark. In 1848, a dark-colored moth was first recorded. Over a period of 45 years, the dark variety of the peppered moth became more common. Today, in some areas, 90% or more of the-peppered moths are dark in color. 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.
Objectives:
Describe the importance of coloration in avoiding predation
Relate environmental change to changes in organisms
 Explain how natural selection causes populations to change. Hypothesize what future generations will look like. Explain how evolution acts on phenotype not genotype.
Purpose: In this lab, you will simulate how predators locate prey in different environments. You will analyze how color affects and organism's ability to survive in certain environments.
Hypothesis: What do you think the future generation of moths will look like if you start with equal numbers of black and white in a dark, sootcovered environment?
Materials: Black tablecloth, white and black beans, tweezers

Hypothesis:
Procedure:
1.
Place 30 of each color of bean on the black environment.
2.
The "predator" will then pick up as many of the circles as he can in 15 seconds.
3.
Record your results in the data table under Trial 1.
4.
Double the number left to resemble the next generation. For example if there are 10 black left add 10 more to equal 20 so that each one were to have one offspring. If there are 5 white add five more.
5.
Have the predator pick up as many again in 15 seconds.
6.
Repeat the above steps for 4 trials.
Data and Analysis
Trial
Generation
1
2
3
4
Black
Initial
White Black
Final
White
1. Explain how the color of the moths increases or decreases their chances of survival.
2. Explain the concept of "natural selection" using your moths as an example.

3. Examine the table above and construct a graph. Plot the years of the study on the X-axis, and the number of moths captured on the Y axis. You should have 2 lines on your graph - one for light
4. Explain in your own words what the graph shows. What type of dark moths.
5. What would happen if there were no predators in the forest? Would the colors of the moths change over time? Defend your answer.
Conclusion: Was your hypothesis correct?