Weerd, Carlijn van der (2023) Identify the invisible: Has ultraviolet reflectance influence on the predation of moths by avian predators? Bachelor's Research Project (period 2b), Biology.
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Abstract
Since the 1980’s there are two strategies of camouflage for moths, cryptic and disruptive. But besides different wing patterns, moths also exhibit ultraviolet reflectance in their wings. Although research has been done on the effects of ultraviolet reflectance, this mainly focussed on intraspecies communication. In this study the focus lays in the possibility that ultraviolet reflectance in the wings of moth could function as a camouflage strategy. Moth models of the species Pelosia muscerda and Deilephila elpnor were exposed to avian predators at different proximities, ranging from points close to a waterbody to points further away from a waterbody. Half of the moth models was treated with ultraviolet ink and the other half was left untreated. Results from this study show that predation of P. muscerda was decreased at proximities close to the waterbody and increased at proximities further from the waterbody. Moreover, the ultraviolet treatment decreased the predation at proximities close to the waterbody and increased the predation at proximities further from the waterbody. For D. elpenor no difference in predation was detected at different proximities or due to the ultraviolet treatment. From these results can be concluded that species with bright colours and high ultraviolet reflectance can benefit from these traits in habitats with also high ultraviolet reflectance.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor's Research Project (period 2b)) |
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| Supervisor name: | Dugdale, H.L. and Young, E.A. |
| Degree programme: | Biology |
| Thesis type: | Bachelor's Research Project (period 2b) |
| Language: | English |
| Date Deposited: | 05 Jun 2023 13:02 |
| Last Modified: | 05 Jun 2023 13:02 |
| URI: | https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/29875 |
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