Skip to main content
HHMI BioInteractive
  • Español
  • Site Search
  • Log In/Create Account
  • BioInteractive Resources
  • Planning Tools
  • Professional Development
  • About Us

The Art of Hiding

Photo of a moth that appears to have bird droppings on its wings.

Topic

  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Animal Behavior
  • Zoology
  • Evolution
  • Natural Selection

Resource Type

  • Activities
  • Phenomenal Images

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IB
Saved By
13 Users
Share This

Description

This activity explores an image of a moth with unusual markings on its wings, which serves as a phenomenon for learning about mimicry and adaptation.

Mimicry is an evolved resemblance between an organism (the mimic) and another entity (the model), which can be a nonliving object or an unrelated species. This image shows a moth with wing patterns that resemble flies feeding on bird droppings. This unappetizing appearance, combined with the moth’s unpleasant smell, keeps away predators that see only smelly bird droppings and hungry flies rather than a tasty moth.

The “Educator Materials” document includes background information and implementation suggestions for using the images as phenomena. The “Student Handout” includes the images and background information.  

Student Learning Targets

  • Examine images of phenomena, make observations, and ask questions.
  • Collaborate with peers on ideas, ask questions that require higher levels of reasoning, and develop deeper understanding of concepts.
  • Describe examples of mimicry and its evolutionary benefits.

Estimated Time

Within one 50-minute class period.

Key Terms

adaptation, camouflage, mimic, mimicry, moth, predator avoidance

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)

PDF files meet criteria.

Version History

Date Published 03.03.20
Date Updated 06.12.20

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS4-4; SEP1

AP Biology (2019)

EVO-1.C, EVO-1.D, EVO-1.O; SP3

IB Biology (2016)

5.2

AP Environmental Science (2020)

Topic(s): 2.4, 2.6
Learning Objectives & Practices: ERT-2.F, ERT-2.H, SP2

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

3.2

Common Core (2010)

ELA.WHST.9-12.9

Vision and Change (2009)

CC1; DP1

Materials

Image (JPG) 898 KB
Educator Materials (PDF) 514 KB
Student Handout (PDF) 1 MB

Related Science News

Beetle keeps rivals off scent of food buried for offspring

Explore Related Content

Other Related Resources

Showing of
Image from the film showing a bat catching a moth
Scientists at Work
Moth Mimicry: Using Ultrasound to Avoid Bats
Image from the video showing fly activity
Animations
Measuring Circadian Activity in Drosophila
Image of a bobtail squid from the video
Clips
Bobtail Squid Burrowing
Image of a cone snail attacking a fish
Clips
Cone Snail Strikes a Fish
Image of a sea slug from the activity
Phenomenal Images
Slug Power
Illustration of a termite mound from the video
Animations
How Termites Enrich Ecosystems
Image from the interactive showing outlines of two elephants.
Click & Learn
How Animals Use Sound to Communicate
Image from the activity
Data Points
Bat Echolocation
Electron micrograph of a mosquito proboscis coated in blood cells
Phenomenal Images
Deadly Straw
Image from the film of a group of elephants
Scientists at Work
Studying Elephant Communication
HHMI BioInteractive
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Newsletter Signup
  • HHMI.org
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility