The purpose for this experiment, is to test the adaptations of color and to see if it influences how quickly the Swallowtail butterflies take to heat up to its desired temperature. This is an important experiment because it helps you get an understanding of adaptations, interpreting data, expanding into additional studies, and learning how physical traits affect butterflies ability to regulate body temperature (Lab Manual, page 41). The hypothesis for this experiment is, The darker the butterfly the quicker it will take to heat up, the lighter the butterfly the slower it will take to heat up. .
Our method for this experiment, was to have three different butterfly species in color. We had the Polydamas Swallowtail (dark=black), Giant Swallowtail (light=pale yellow), and Pipevine Swallowtail (control=light gray/blue). We put each Swallowtail butterfly next to each other under the lamp and after every five minutes we would check the temperature change and record our data. Our results shocked our group, it did not support our hypothesis like we expected. The results varied in each trial we conducted. .
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Introduction.
All Organism live in a physical environment. Physical environments include certain temperatures, light environments, pH, wind conditions, etc (Lab Manual page 41). For instance take a look at the structural aspect of butterflies. It allows them to regulate temperature, such as: body color, wing color, wing size, thorax size, and the hairs on the thorax (lab Manual page 43). Adaptations play a big role in butterflies. An adaptation is the adjustment or changes in behavior,physiology, and structure of an organism to become more suited to an environment (Biology text book 9th edition). Adaptation is caused by evolution by natural selection. Adaptation and evolution all have to do with how an animal or a species depend on their environment. For example, in the desert its extremely dry/hot and it's rare to get a downpour of rain.
