Biology
Evolution Solutions
III. How adaptations become common in a population
Morgan's sphinx moth, or Xanthopan morganii, is a moth found in Madagascar that has a long proboscis.
The Morgan sphinx moth feeds on an orchid called Darwin's orchid, which has a very long nectar
producing tube, and most insects cannot reach the nectar.
Early ancestors of Morgan's sphinx moth had a variation in the length of their proboscis- some were
shorter than others. The moths with shorter proboscis' most likely competed for food sources with other
insects. However, the moths that had longer proboscis' were able to get nectar from Darwin's orchid.
10. How did this favor the moths with longer proboscis?
11. What was the adaptation found in the moth example?
12. Biological success is based on how many offspring are able to survive. How do adaptations affect the
success of a population?
EM
13. Some organisms have genes that improve their ability to survive and reproduce. If the genes
also help their offspring survive and reproduce, then which of the following will most likely increase?
a. The frequency of the genes in one particular individual
b. The frequency of the genes in the entire population
C. The number of genes in the species
14. Hoverflies are insects that resemble wasps, but cannot
actually sting. What advantage does this adaptation give
them?
Morgan's sphinx moth Darwin's orchid
15. The type of adaptation seen in the hoverfly is known as
Hoverfly
