Butterfly Species Interactions and Characteristics

During the American Revolution, lepidopterists focused on butterflies, discovering the white admiral and red-spotted purple. These butterflies have distinct survival strategies: the white admiral uses camouflage, while the red-spotted purple mimics poisonous species. Near the U.S.-Canada border, hybrids of these species appear, leading scientists to classify them as one species due to genetic similarities. This case highlights how appearances can be deceiving, as many species are more similar than they seem.

During which historical period did lepidopterists focus on butterflies instead of tea and taxes?

• The American Civil War

• The American Revolution

• The Industrial Revolution

• The French Revolution

What is the official insect emblem of Quebec?

• Painted Lady

• White Admiral

• Red-Spotted Purple

• Monarch Butterfly

Which butterfly uses stealth as a survival strategy?

• Monarch Butterfly

• Red-Spotted Purple

• White Admiral

• Swallowtail

What is the primary survival strategy of the red-spotted purple?

• Camouflage

• Mimicry

• Speed

• Poison

Where do the ranges of the white admiral and red-spotted purple overlap?

• Near the U.S.-Canada border

• In the western USA

• In the eastern USA

• In the southern USA

What results from the overlap of the two butterfly species' ranges?

• Hybrid offspring

• A new species

• Extinction of one species

• Increased competition

What convinced scientists to unite the two butterfly species taxonomically?

• Their unique mating rituals

• Their distinct habitats

• Their genetic and anatomical similarities

• Their different colors

How do the two butterfly species interact in the wild?

• They mate with each other

• They compete for resources

• They avoid each other

• They fight for territory

What broader lesson about nature is highlighted in the final section?

• Coloration is always an indicator of danger

• Butterflies are the most diverse species

• Appearances can be deceiving

• All animals are unique

What is a common misconception about cross-border cousins in the animal kingdom?

• They cannot interbreed

• They are genetically identical

• They are always different species

• They have identical appearances