Question

A moth sits camouflaged on a tree trunk. When disturbed, it opens its wings and two large eyespots appear. These:

Select one:
a. Startle the predator
b. Camouflage the moth (by looking like holes in leaves)
c. Make the moth look like a much larger animal to deter the animal from eating it
d. Make the moth look as if it is sick and not edible
e. All of the above

Answer 1

The eyespots on a startled moth serve multiple purposes including startling the predator, camouflaging the moth, and deterring predators from attacking.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is e. All of the above. When a moth is camouflaged on a tree trunk, its main goal is to escape detection by predators. However, when disturbed, it opens its wings and reveals two large eyespots. These eyespots serve multiple purposes:

1. Startle the predator: The sudden appearance of the eyespots may startle or surprise the predator, giving the moth a chance to escape.
2. Camouflage the moth: The eyespots resemble holes in leaves, making the moth blend in with its surroundings and reducing the chances of being seen.
3. Deter predators: By making the moth look like a much larger animal, the eyespots can scare or intimidate predators, deterring them from attacking.

Overall, the eyespots help the moth increase its chances of survival by confusing or intimidating predators.