Question

9 the larvae of butterflies eat the leaves of flowering plants. many of these larvae are eaten by birds before they can become adult butterflies. in one butterfly population, most larvae eat leaves continuously and ignore other organisms around the leaves. but a few newly hatched larvae stop moving when a shadow suddenly falls on the leaves. in a few years, most of the larvae in this population stop moving when they detect a sudden shadow.
a. what is the adaptation in this butterfly population? explain how you know it is an adaptation. (2 points)

Explanation:

The adaptation is that the butterfly - larvae stop moving when they detect a sudden shadow. This is an adaptation because it likely helps them avoid predation by birds. When a shadow (possibly of a bird) falls, freezing in place can make them less noticeable to the predator, increasing their chances of survival. Over time, the larvae with this trait are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on this adaptation to the next generation.

Answer:

The adaptation is that the butterfly larvae stop moving when they detect a sudden shadow. This is an adaptation as it helps in predator - avoidance, increasing survival rates and reproductive success.