Schoonbeek, Karsten (2023) Uncovering the hidden: the role of UV light in moth camouflage. Bachelor's Research Project (period 2b), Biology.
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Abstract
Up until now, a lot of research has been done on cryptic and disruptive camouflage in moths. However, to what degree moth species use UV reflectance present in their wings as camouflage, has not yet been thoroughly researched. To answer this question a field study was conducted. Models were made resembling a moth using a mealworm as its body and a paper print of a pattern of either D. elpenor or P. muscerda as wings. Half of the models were treated with a UV reflective ink, while the other half remained untreated. Models were placed in a gradient of 0 to 30 meters from the waterbody for 30 hours, at which every 6 hours they were checked if they were predated. The models resembling P. muscerda showed that predation at proximity three (30 meters) was significantly lower than at proximity one (0 meters). Furthermore a significantly higher positive effect of UV treatment on predation at proximity three than at proximity one was observed for these models. However, when looked at the models resembling D. elpenor, no significant differences were observed. From this it can be concluded that the brighter colored species, like P. muscerda, can indeed benefit from having ultraviolet reflection in their wings. This however, cannot be said about the darker coloured species as the brown variants did not show any significant differences.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor's Research Project (period 2b)) |
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| Supervisor name: | Dugdale, H.L. |
| Degree programme: | Biology |
| Thesis type: | Bachelor's Research Project (period 2b) |
| Language: | English |
| Date Deposited: | 05 Jun 2023 13:22 |
| Last Modified: | 05 Jun 2023 13:22 |
| URI: | https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/29877 |
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